This Week:

 

2003- Wayne Wonder- No Letting Go

 

 

'No Letting Go' was the debut single from Jamaican artist Wayne Wonder which was included on his debut album 'No Holding Back'. This would go on and be his most successful single where it would peak at #3 in the UK, in the US this would peak at #11 in the Billboard Hot 100. This is definitely one on the summer playlist for me, I couldn't really tire of this. Wayne Wonder would have one other UK hit single which peaked at #19 with 'Bounce Along'. Oddly I remember 'No Letting Go' on featuring in an episode of CBBC's game show 'Best of Friends'.

 

The very episode

 

 

2003- Joe Budden- Pump It Up

 

 

'Pump It Up' was the debut single from rapper Joe Budden's self-titled debut album and featured in the soundtrack of 2 Fast 2 Furious. This would go on and peak at #13 in the UK, in the US this would peak at #38 in the Billboard Hot 100. This would be Joe Budden's only solo UK Top 40 hit.

 

2 Fast 2 Furious:

 

 

 

2005- 2 Pac ft Elton John- Ghetto Gospel

 

 

'Ghetto Gospel' was the lead single from 2 Pac's fifth posthumous album 'Loyal to The Game' this would feature Elton John which would sample 'Indian Sunset', this song was produced by Eminem. This would go and become 2 Pac's most successful hit in the UK by peaking at #1 where it would stay for three weeks it would be knocked off the #1 spot by er... James Blunt. I remember 'Ghetto Gospel' particularly well as this spent about 14 weeks at #1 in the TMF Top 10 on the Freeview channel. This would come 26th in my Top 100 songs of the 2000s which I did back in 2015.

 

Sampled:

 

This Week:

 

2001- D12- Purple Pills

 

 

'Purple Pills' was the second single from D12's debut studio album 'Devil's Night'. This would go on and peak at #2 in the UK, in the US this would peak at #19 in the Billboard Hot 100. D12 is of course an American hip-hop group which contains Eminem, Proof, Bizarre, Swifty and Kuniva, Kon Artis.

 

 

2003- Lisa Maffia- In Love

 

 

'In Love' was the second single from Lisa Maffia's debut studio album 'First Lady'. This would go on and peak at #13 in the UK. Can't say that this is one that I remember at all until I started doing this series.

 

 

2006- Ne-Yo- Sexy Love

 

 

'Sexy Love' was the second UK single from Ne-Yo's debut album 'In My Own Words'. This would go on and peak at #5 in the UK, in the US this would peak at #7 in the Billboard Hot 100. This was an decent follow-up to his first song 'So Sick'.

This Week:

 

1993- Janet Jackson- If

 

 

 

'If' was the second single from Janet Jackson's fifth studio album 'Janet'. This would go on and peak at #14 in the UK, in the US this would fare better by peaking at #4 in the Billboard Hot 100. This isn't one that I'm familiar, but it sounds good from Janet Jackson. This would contain an sample of 'Someday We'll Be Together' by Diana Ross & The Supremes.

 

Sampled:

 

 

2001- Sisqo- Dance For Me

 

 

'Dance For Me' was the first single from Sisqo's second album 'Return of Dragon'. This would go on and peak at #6 in the UK, to be honest I can't say that I remember this at all until I started doing this series. It sounds OK from Sisqo, but it isn't that memorable.

 

 

2001- Shaggy ft Rayvon- Angel

 

 

'Angel' was the second single from Shaggy's fifth studio album 'Hot Shot'. This would feature Rayvon, this would be an second successful collaboration between both, Shaggy and Rayvon as they would cover Mungo Jerry's 'In The Summertime' in 1995. This would sample Steve Miller Band's 'The Joker' and 'Angel of The Morning' by Chip Taylor. This would go and become Shaggy's fourth UK #1 and it would stay there for three weeks, in the US this would also peak at #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 where it would stay there for one week before being knocked off by 'Butterfly' by Crazy Town. This would come 28th in my Top 100 Songs of the 2000s that I did back in 2015.

 

Sampled:

 

 

This Week:

 

1984- Deniece Williams- Let's Hear It For The Boy

 

 

'Let's Hear It for The Boy' was released as a single from the soundtrack to 'Footloose' and Deniece Williams' eighth studio album of the same name. This would on and peak at #2 in the UK, in the US this would fare better by peaking at #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 where it would stay there for two weeks. This is one that I probably shouldn't like but it is a guilty pleasure this from Deniece Williams.

 

2004- Usher- Burn

 

 

'Burn' was the second single from Usher's fourth studio album 'Confessions'. This would go on and become Usher's second consecutive UK #1, his 3rd UK #1 in total, where it stay at #1 for two weeks, in the US this would also peak at #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 where it would stay there for eight non-consecutive weeks. This would come 78th in my Top 100 of the 2000s countdown that I had back in 2015. This is what I said about 'Burn' at the time:

This was to be Usher's second UK #1 of 2004. This a terrific sultry R'n'B tune from him.

. His 'Confessions' album was an blooming great album from Usher.

 

2012- Far East Movement ft Cover Drive- Turn Up The Love

 

 

 

'Turn Up The Love' was the third single from Far East Movement's fourth studio album 'Dirty Bass' this would feature Barbadian group Cover Drive. This would go on and peak at #13 in the UK, this is one that I haven't heard for a while, hearing it now it probably isn't one that I would go out of my way to listen to, however it is better than 'Get Up (Rattle)' their collaboration which they did with Bingo Players the following year.

This Week:

 

1996- Bone Thugs-N-Harmony- Tha Crossroads

 

 

'Tha Crossroads' was the third single from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's second album 'E.1999 Eternal'. This was dedicated to their groups's mentor, Eazy-E. This would go on and peak at #8 in the UK, in the US this would fare better by peaking at #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 where it would stay there for seven straight weeks before being knocked off by 2 Pac's double A-side 'How Do U Want It' and 'California Love'. Six years later this would be reworked version by Blazin' Squad with 'Crossroads'.

 

Blazin' Squad Version:

 

 

 

 

1999- TLC- Unpretty

 

 

'Unpretty' was the second single from TLC's third studio album 'FanMail'. This would go on and peak at #6 in the UK, in the US this would fare better by peaking at #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 where it would stay at #1 for three weeks before being knocked off the top spot by Mariah Carey ft Jay-Z's 'Heartbreaker'. This is an fantastic song from TLC, one that I would listen to now and again.

 

 

2002- Romeo- Romeo Dunn

 

 

'Romeo Dunn' was the debut single from rapper Romeo's debut album 'Solid Love'. This would go on and peak at #3 in the UK, this would include uncredited vocals from Lisa Maffia, Thug Angel & Tiger S. Can't say I have heard this for a while before I started doing this series.

 

This Week:

 

1982- Marvin Gaye- Sexual Healing

 

 

1994- Red Dragon with Brian And Tony- Compliments On Your Kiss

 

 

2011- Rizzle Kicks- Down With The Trumpets

 

 

 

Commentary will follow on a later date.

This Week: (Doing this a day earlier

 

2002- Ashanti- Foolish

 

 

'Foolish' was the debut single from American singer Ashanti from her self-titled debut album. This would heavily sample DeBrage's 'Stay With Me'. This would go on and peak at #4 in the UK, in the US this would fare better where it would peak at #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 where it would stay there for ten straight weeks before knocked off by Nelly's 'Hot In Herre'. In the music video there would be cameos from rapper Ja Rule, music producer Irv Gotti. This was a great debut single from Ashanti.

 

Sampled:

 

 

2002- Will Smith ft Tra-Knox- Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)

 

 

'Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head) was the first single from Will Smith's third album 'Born to Reign'. This would go on and peak at #3 in the UK, in the US this would peak at #77 in the Billboard Hot 100. One that I haven't heard for quite a while but it still sounds great from Will Smith.

 

This would come 68th in my Hip-Hop Songs of the 2000s, and this is what I said about it at the time:

 

The song was part of the soundtrack for Men In Black II.

 

2012- Wiley ft Ms.D- Heatwave

 

 

This from Wiley which featured Ms.D, this peaked at #1 in the UK, becoming Wiley's first UK #1. This did come 34th in my Hip-Hop Songs of the 2010s.

 

In 2020, he made antisemetic comments and was then dropped by his manager, he was later suspended on social media.

 

Since then, he had his MBE rescinded for assault and burglarly charges.

 

Enough said.

 

This Week:

 

1995- Shaggy ft Rayvon- In The Summertime

 

 

'In The Summertime' was the lead single from Shaggy's third studio album 'Boombastic'. This featured Rayvon where they would collaborate again six years later on 'Angel'. This was a cover of Mungo Jerry's 1970 original. This would go on and peak at #5 in the UK, in the US this would peak at #3 in the Billboard Hot 100 as a double A-Side with 'Boombastic'. Out of the two versions, I would say that I prefer the original from Mungo Jerry. Shaggy's version is all right but it isn't quite up there with the original. This even featured on the soundtrack of Flipper the following year.

 

Original:

 

 

 

Flipper Movie Version:

 

 

1999- Ginuwine- So Anxious

 

'So Anxious' was the third single from Ginuwine's second studo album '100% Ginuwine'. This would go on and peak at #16 in the Billboard Hot 100. Don't think this was ever released in the UK. This was produced by Timbaland. Can't say this one that I have heard until I started doing this series.

 

 

 

2012- Public Enemy- Harder Than You Think

 

 

'Harder Than You Think' was originally first released in 2007 which was the first single from Public Enemy's 20th anniverary album 'How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Souls'. Five years later this would become popular thanks to it being used as the soundtrack for Channel 4's London 2012 Paralympics and would be the theme tune for their Paralympics coverage. This would go on and peak at #4 in the UK becoming Public Enemy's highest-charting single in the UK. This has continued to be used as the theme tune for Channel 4's coverage of the Paralympics and also for 'The Last Leg'. This is a good song from them, I particularly remember Flavor Flav for wearing the clock medallion and for a show called 'Favor of Love'.

 

The 2012 Summer Paralympics Advert:

 

 

 

Intro:

 

 

The Last Leg Intro:

 

This Week:

 

1996- Toni Braxton- Let It Flow

 

 

'Let It Flow' was released as a double A-side with 'You're Makin' Me High' which was the lead single from Toni Braxton's second studio album 'Secrets'. This double A-side would go on and peak at #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 where it would stay there for one week before being knocked off by the er... 'Macarena' by Los del Rios. This was originally recorded for the soundtrack to 1995 film 'Waiting to Exhale'. This is one that I'm not familiar with from Toni Braxton but it sounds great from her.

 

 

2011- Sean Paul ft Alexis Jordan- Got 2 Luv U

 

 

'Got 2 Luv U' was the first single from Sean Paul's fifth studio album 'Tomahawk Technique' this would feature American singer Alexis Jordan. This would go on and peak at #11 in the UK, in the US this would peak at #84 in the Billboard Hot 100. Was quite the fan of this when came out from Sean Paul/Alexis Jordan. One that I have rediscovered this I first doing this series. This probably one of the misheard lyrics thread, I thought was:

 

Actual:

 

I, I'm gonna flip the script on ya

You don't even know me (uh-huh)

 

Misheard:

 

I, I'm gonna flip biscuits on ya

You don't even know me (uh-huh)

 

 

 

 

2012- Ne-Yo- Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)

 

 

'Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself' was the lead single from Ne-Yo's fifth studio album 'R.E.D.'. This would go on and peak at #1 in the UK becoming Ne-Yo's fifth UK and to date last #1. This would stay there for one week at #1 before knocked off the #1 spot by The Script/will.i.am 'Hall of Fame'. In the US this would peak at #6 in the Billboard Hot 100. When I first heard this I can remember that I was a fan of this but I gradually began to grow tired of this. It's not up there with 'So Sick', 'Closer' or 'Beautiful Monster' in my view. But it's OK from Ne-Yo.

This Week:

 

1990- MC Hammer- Pray

 

 

'Pray' was the third single from MC Hammer's third studio album 'Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em. This would sample Prince's 'When Doves Cry' and Faith No More's 'We Care A Lot'. This would peak at #8 in the UK, in the US this would fare better where it would peak at #2 in the Billboard Hot 100. This is one that I'm not very familiar with from MC Hammer. This isn't no 'U Can't Touch This', sorry might be in the minority on my view of 'U Can't Touch This' which I thought was the best song that MC Hammer did. 'Pray' is OK from MC Hammer. 'Pray' apparently set a record for the most times a title is said in a song in the US with 'Pray' being mentioned 147 times.

 

Sampled

 

 

Also Sampled:

 

 

 

 

2008- Jordin Sparks ft Chris Brown- No Air

 

 

'No Air' was the second single from Jordin Sparks' self-titled debut album. This would feature Chris Brown. This would go on and peak at #3 in the UK on three separate occasions, it would remain in the Top 10 for ten weeks. In the US this would also peak at #3 in the Billboard Hot 100. This was probably one of my most played songs from 2008, it is a great collaboration that works very well, I remember being gutted when this missed on the #1 spot. I also remember an parody version of this called 'No Hair' from Radio 1's Chris Moyles.

 

Chris Moyles & Dom Byrne's Parody Version:

 

 

2008- T.I.- Whatever You Like

 

 

'Whatever You Like' was the lead single from T.I's sixth studio album 'Paper Trail'. This would peak at #47 in the UK, in the US this would fare far better where it would peak at #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 where it would spend seven non-consecutive weeks at #1.

This Week:

 

1989- Alyson Williams- I Need Your Lovin'

 

 

'I Need Your Lovin' was the third single from Alyson Williams' debut album 'Raw'. This would go on and peak at #8 in the UK it would her highest charting single in the UK. In the US this wouldn't chart in the Billboard Hot 100. One that I'm not that familiar with but it sounds good from Alyson Williams and is quite underrated, I would say.

 

 

1998- Divine- Lately

 

 

 

'Lately' was the debut single from Divine's only studio album 'Fairy Tales'. This would peak at #1 in the US where it would stay there for one week. In the UK this failed to have much of an impact but it peaked at #52 in the UK. Three years later 'Lately' would be covered by Samantha Mumba who would have better success with this in the UK by outpeaking the original chart position, Mumba's version would peak at #6 in the UK. For Divine, they would go on and release a cover of George Michael's 'One More Try'. In 2000 they would split up.

 

Samantha Mumba's Version:

 

 

1999- Brian McKnight- Back At One

 

 

'Back at One' was the lead single from Brian McKnight's fifth studio album of the same name. This would peak at #2 in the US where it would remain there for eight weeks. This sounds all right from Brian McKnight.

This Week:

 

1985- Princess- Say I'm Your Number One

 

 

'Say I'm Your Number One' was the debut single from Princess's self-titled studio album. This would go on and peak at #7 in the UK. This would be her biggest hit single in the UK and her only UK Top 10 hit. She would go on and three further UK Top 40 hits with 'After the Love Has Gone', 'I'll Keep on Loving You' and 'Tell Me Tomorrow'.

 

 

1996- Toni Braxton- You're Makin' Me High

 

 

"You're Makin' Me High' was the lead single from Toni Braxton's second studio album 'Secrets'. This would peak at #7 in the UK, in the US this would fare better by peaking at #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 where it would remain there for one week. This would sampled in 2014 by Secondcity on his single 'I Wanna Feel' and in 2019 by UK rapper MIST which featured Fredo on 'So High'.

 

Sampled By:

 

 

Also Sampled By

 

 

 

 

1999- R.Kelly- If I Could Turn Back The Hands of Time

 

 

This from disgraced singer R.Kelly, he is now locked up for 31 years for jail for after being found guilty of eight counts of sex trafficking and one of racketeering in a New York court.

 

Months later, he was convicted of child sexual abuse in a second federal trial in Chicago.

 

Enough said.

 

This Week:

 

1981- Diana Ross & Lionel Richie- Endless Love

 

 

Film:

 

 

Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey Version:

 

 

 

1999- Destiny's Child- Bug-A-Boo

 

 

Refugee Camp Remix ft Wyclef Jean

 

 

Which contained interpolations of:

 

 

2007- Craig David- Hot Stuff (Let's Dance)

 

 

Sampled:

 

 

 

This week we have 'Endless Love' from Lionel Richie & Diana Ross, 'Bug A Boo' from Destiny's Child and 'Hot Stuff (Let's Dance)' from Craig David which sampled 'Let's Dance' by David Bowie.

 

This Week:

 

1981- Grover Washington Jr & Bill Withers- Just the Two of Us

 

 

Sampled and Inspired By:

 

 

1991- PM Dawn- Set Adrift On Memory Bliss

 

 

Sampled:

 

 

1998- Kele Le Roc- Little Bit of Lovin'

 

 

This week we have 'Just The Two of Us' from Grover Washington Jr & Bill Withers, 'Set Adrift On Memory Bliss' by P.M Dawn which sampled 'True' and finally 'Little Bit of Lovin' from Kele Le Roc.

Set Adrift on Memory Bliss! :music:

Set Adrift on Memory Bliss! :music:

Glad to you a fan of 'Set Adrift on Memory Bliss',

 

Many thanks for commenting, TheSnake. Much appreciated, :)

This Week:

 

2001- Destiny's Child- Emotion

 

 

Original:

 

 

 

2002- Blazin' Squad- Love On The Line

 

 

Sampled

 

 

 

2007- Timbaland ft Keri Hilson & D.O.E.- The Way I Are

 

 

This week we have 'Emotion' by Destiny's Child which was a cover from Samantha Song. 'Love On The Line' from Blazin' Squad which sampled Another Level's 'Freak Me' and finally 'The Way I Are' from Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson & D.O.E. which came 22nd in my Top 100 Songs of the 2000s which I did back in 2015. Which I said this:

Definitely my jam back then and still is.

26th December (Doing this a week early as busy that day)

 

 

1981- Stevie Wonder- Lately

 

 

Covered By:

 

 

1982- Shalamar- A Night To Remember

 

 

 

911 Version:

 

 

Liberty X Version:

 

 

2005- Eminem- When I'm Gone

 

 

 

For the Boxing Day edition, we have 'Lately' by Stevie Wonder, 'A Night To Remember' by Shalamar and finally 'When I'm Gone' by Eminem.

This Week:

 

 

1982- Patrice Rushen- Forget Me Nots

 

 

Tongue n Cheek Version:

 

 

Sampled By:

 

 

Also Sampled By:

 

 

 

'Forget Me Nots' was the lead single from Patrice Rushen's seventh studio album 'Straight from The Heart'. This would peak at #8 in the UK, in the US this would peak at #23 in the Billboard Hot 100. This would later be sampled by George Michael at the end of his 1996 UK #1 'Fastlove' and Will Smith the following year on 'Men In Black'. In 1991 electric band Tongue 'n' Cheek would record a dance version of this where it would peak at #26 in the UK.

 

2000- Dr Dre ft Eminem- Forgot About Dre

 

 

'Forgot About Dre' was the second single from Dr Dre's second studio album '2001', this featured his protege Eminem. This would peak at #7 in the UK, in the US this would peak at #25 in the Billboard Hot 100. This would come 57th in my Hip-Hop Song of the 2000s which I did back in 2015.

 

2006- Pharrell Williams- Angel

 

 

'Angel' was the second European single from Pharrell Williams' debut album 'In My Mind'. This would go on and peak at #15 in the UK this wasn't released in the US. This is one that I'm that familiar with from Pharrell but it sounds all right from him. It's no 'Can I Have It Like That? or 'Frontin' or 'Happy'.

 

I'm pretty sure that I knew 'Fastlove' and 'Men In Black' before 'Forget Me Nots' but got to it eventually and it's fab.

 

'Forgot About Dre' is a good tune as well, I've just voted in the #7s rate and it was one of many painful cuts :cry: :lol: a memorable bassline as ever from Dr. Dre.