07 - Fergie - The Dutchess

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/1707562.JPG

 

Peaked at number 1 for one week in October, returned to number 1 for one week in November, returned to number 1 for two weeks in December, spent 4 weeks at #1 in total

 

Fergie surprised everyone this year by going solo and bringing out an album that was actually of very good quality, with surefire hits such as Clumsy, Finally and Big Girls Don't Cry amongst its roster, along with the catchy singles, however, the album's midpoint also marks its weakest, with some tracks (such as Voodoo Doll) not quite up to scratch. Full of attitude and a 'I don't give a f*ck what you think' mentality, The Dutchess is a test sample of what may happen if the Black Eyed Peas split up.

 

Download: Big Girls Don't Cry

Miss: Voodoo Doll

Next Single: Fergalicious (postponed from November)/Glamorous

06 - Shakira - Oral Fixation: Volume 2

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/82876815852.JPG

 

Peaked at number one for 3 weeks from April to May, returned to number one for a week in July, returned to number one for 3 weeks from July to August, spent 7 weeks at number 1 in total

 

Shakira Shakira! Spending the second longest time at number one this year (7 non-consecutive weeks), Shakira had a few stormers on Oral Fixation, such as the feisty 'Animal City', the very retro 'Hey You' and the stomping 'Timor', with no really obvious low points - obviously Hips Don't Lie has lost a lot of its charm with the amount of time it spent at number one in the UK chart :lol: After a few listens, songs like 'The Day And The Time' and 'Something' begin to grate a little, but they are by no means bad songs. Although I can't say I appreciate the insight in 'Your Embrace' that it rains everyday in London :lol: The worst song on the entire collection would probably have to be the utterly pointless remix of Don't Bother by a Jrsnchz - avoid.

 

Download: Hey You, Animal City, Timor

Miss: Don't Bother (Jrsnchz Remix)

Next single: TBA

05 - All Saints - Studio 1

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/3784412.JPG

 

Peaked at number 1 for two weeks in November

 

Most unjust flop EVER. This is one of the best albums I have heard in a LONG time, all of the tracks are excellent except for the horrid mistake that is Dope Noize, although I have personally chosen to replace it with the bonus track on the special edition called 'Sexy' :kink: The genius of this album is obvious through tracks such as the storming Chickfit, the stomping Rock Steady, the wondrous On And On, the upbeat piano-driven Headlock and the sublime closer Fundamental. Amazing is the only way to describe this album. :wub:

 

Download: All of it, except Dope Noize

Miss: Dope Noize

Next single: Chickfit

04 - Christina Aguilera - Back To Basics

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/PRERELCDCAGUIL.JPG

 

Peaked at number one for 2 weeks in August, returned for two weeks in September, spent 4 weeks at number one in total

 

Xtina's double CD album was eagerly anticipated from all quarters this summer, and was positively received for a very good reason. This album gave us amazing tracks such as the gospel-tinged Makes Me Wanna Pray, the sublimely jazzy Ain't No Other Man (also my first ever number one debut single! :cheer:), the sexy reminder that was Still Dirrty, the 30s throwback Candyman, the fantastically filthy Nasty Naughty Boy, the emotionally heartfelt Hurt, the raw Save Me From Myself and the gloriously dramatic The Right Man. Yes, the album is THAT good. Unfortunately, double CDs are notorious for bringing plenty of crap along with the fab, and for this we must mentally hate upon the tiresome Back In The Day, the chavtastic Slow Down Baby and the ridiculously self-indulgent Thank You, in which we endure for 5 minutes Christina intermingled with voicemail messages from fans about *gasp* how amazing she is -_-

 

Download: Makes Me Wanna Pray, Nasty Naughty Boy, Save Me From Myself, The Right Man

Miss: Thank You

Next Single: Candyman

03 - Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/PRESCISSORCD.JPG

 

Peaked at number one for four weeks from September to October

 

Awaited by everyone, loved by most, Ta-Dah was one of THE albums of the year, producing one of the nation's greatest hits in the form of 'I Don't Feel Like Dancin' and bringing some other fab songs along for the party - the Broadway-esque 'I Can't Decide', the George Formby inspired 'Intermission', the female empowered pop of 'Kiss You Off', the gloriously gay 'Ooh', the campy 'Paul McCartney', the introspective 'The Other Side', the freaky 'Transistor', and the natural heir to 'Filthy/Gorgeous', 'Making Ladies' :wub: It's worth buying the 2nd CD just for the fabness of Making Ladies, although I'm sure it can be downloaded :lol: The only downside would be the obligatory useless remix, this time on the 2nd CD, the 'Paper Faces Remix' of IDFLD truly leaves a terrible taste in your mouth as it is the album closer :(

 

Download: Making Ladies, Ooh, I Can't Decide

Miss: I Don't Feel Like Dancin (Paper Faces Remix)

Next Single: She's My Man/Kiss You Off

02 - Nelly Furtado - Loose

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/9853919.JPG

 

Peaked at number one for a week in July, returned to number one for a week later in July, returned to number one for a week in September. Spent 3 weeeks at number one in total.

 

Nelly shocked everyone with her new brand of experiment pop and R&B earlier this year, a significant departure from her previous works. However, it worked, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the opening triptych of songs - 'Afraid', 'Maneater' and 'Promiscuous', all songs which use the opener to define the NEW Nelly, this works far better than it would have done had she opened with 'Te Busque', 'In Gods Hands' and 'All Good Things'. No, Nelly has a new style and she wants you to KNOW about it. However, the best part of the album begins midway, starting with the beautifully introspective 'Te Busque', followed by the breathtaking 'Say It Right', succeeded by the 80s pop throwback 'Do It', which is followed by 'In God's Hands', which is very reminiscent of some of her previous work. However, the crowning jewel of this album comes with 'All Good Things', the perfect closer to an amazing album...

 

Unfortunately ruined by the obligatory bonus track. 'Somebody To Love' is a feisty Latin track, however 'Let My Hair Down' just sounds like a lazy effort, and it really does ruin 'AGT's effect as it follows it immediately. At least 'STL' gives the album a high note to go out on. Oh, and 'Glow' is rather annoying as well -_-

 

Download: Te Busque, In God's Hands, Somebody To Love

Miss: Glow, Let My Hair Down

Next Single: Say It Right

And finally...well, what did you expect? :lol:

 

01 - Prince - 3121

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/PRERELCDPRINCE.JPG

 

Peaked at number one for 6 weeks from March to April, returned to number one for two weeks in June, spent 8 weeks at number one in total.

 

Spending the longest time at number one this year with 8 non-consecutive weeks in the penthouse, Prince returned with his latest collection '3121' and did not disappoint. From the funky opener '3121' to 'Lolita', a pop number driven by a synth bass line, followed by the Latin-tinged 'Te Amo Corazon', followed by the funk jam of 'Black Sweat', succeeded by the vocoder-driven 'Incense and Candles' in which Prince pulls off a fast southern rap, before the funky futuristic 'Love'. Next we have the seductive ballad 'Satisfied', before the fan favourite funk-rock of 'Fury', before the jazzy 'The Word'. Finally, the album closes with the upbeat 'Beautiful, Loved & Blessed' in which Prince teams up with his newest protege, Tamar, followed by the moody piano-driven 'The Dance', finished by the James Brown inspired 'Get On The Boat'. An amazing album, with no significant low points, this album is a funk essential which proves that Prince has indeed returned to form.

 

Download: 'Love', 'Beautiful, Loved & Blessed', 'Fury'

Miss: N/A

Next single: N/A

So, a quick album track recap before we enter the top twenty tracks of 2006...

 

10 - Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds

09 - Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape

08 - Ciara - The Evolution

07 - Fergie - The Dutchess

06 - Shakira - Oral Fixation: Volume 2

05 - All Saints - Studio 1

04 - Christina Aguilera - Back To Basics

03 - Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah

02 - Nelly Furtado - Loose

:no1: - Prince - 3121

 

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/9876829.JPGhttp://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/9853831.JPG

 

20 - Orson - No Tomorrow (552,612, peaked at #1 for 2 weeks from February to March)

Chart Run: 29-13-4-{1}-1-2-4-5-5-6-6-7-11-17-33>15 weeks

This upbeat 80s rock revival song took the UK by storm and it showed in the downloads - No Tomorrow became iTunes Most Downloaded Song EVER in a week! :o

 

19 - Carola - Invincible (556,754, peaked at #1 for a week in June)

Chart Run: 8-4-{1}-2-5-12-20-25>8 weeks

This upbeat feel-good pop song was Sweden's entry into last year's Eurovision Song Contest, and was ROBBED :angry: It still made 5th place on 170 points though, so not too much to be angry about ^_^

The bints don't have Fury's video :angry:

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/82876886832.JPGhttp://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/mcstd40462.JPG

 

18 - Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland - SexyBack (563,946, peaked at #2 for two weeks from July to August)

Chart Run: 9-3-{2}-2-3-6-38-24-15-6-13-17>12 weeks

Justin's comeback was a slick Prince inspired urban track that dominated my summer but was blocked from number one by my definitive summer number, 'Ain't No Other Man'. Slightly cruel this one, as I now prefer this to that :lol:

 

17 - Prince - Fury (564,107, peaked at #2 for a week in March)

Chart Run: 22-3-{2}-3-3-5-8-12-25-38-OUT-16R(2)-10-13-16-29-37-39-39-38-38-34>21 weeks

This one was also robbed, although in this case I doubt Prince will be too unhappy as he was blocked by his very own 'Black Sweat'! :lol:

Excellent that Helena is in there. :D

Oh and Carola. :D

are westlife in?

Excellent that Helena is in there. :D

 

Oh and Carola. :D

 

I somehow had a vision you would appreciate their entries :lol:

 

And no Charis, and I don't think they will EVER be -_-

They don't have Love, but I expected that anyway :smoke:

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/GNARLSCDSPRE.JPGhttp://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/PRERELCDPRINCE.JPG

 

16 - Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (574,551, peaked at number 1 for 2 weeks in March, returned to number 1 for a week in April)

Chart Run: 4-{1}-1-3-1-2-3-6-8-17>10 weeks

The biggest seller of the year in the UK charts doesn't sell QUITE as much in my chart, but was still relatively successful. Fell completely out of my chart once Smiley Faces went top twenty :o

 

15 - Prince - Love (646,081, peaked at number 1 for 2 weeks in April)

Chart Run: 40-38-12-{1}-1-2-12-21-23-20-24-26-25-30-30-38-38-39-32-33>20 weeks

One of the best tracks on 3121, this futuristic funk took my chart by storm in April and leaves many happy memories of the time with it! :wub:

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/9877821.JPGhttp://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/9859585.JPG

 

14 - Rihanna - SOS (Rescue Me) (719,052, peaked at number one for a week in March)

Chart Run: 7-{1}-2-5-10-15-10-6-9-14-16-22-24-36-OUT-39R(4)-34-32-36-34-30-29-39-32-32-34>25 weeks

THE hit of the Spring, Rihanna didn't take long to get to number one with this little number. However, Gnarls kept this fab tune from number one in the UK charts, which is a real shame as Rihanna really does deserve a number one by now :lol:

 

13 - Nelly Furtado - Maneater (742,212, peaked at number one for a week in June)

Chart Run: 14-9-8-6-4-{1}-4-7-7-12-30-29>12 weeks

Nelly shocked everyone with this dark, stomping hit, which deserved EVERY bit of its success in the UK charts. This is the third of Nelly's four entries in this chart - where will Promiscuous chart? :o

Good countdwon so far, Ty :P

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/UNFAITHFULCDS.JPGhttp://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/1704397.JPG

 

12 - Rihanna - Unfaithful (865,207, peaked at number 2 for a week in July)

Chart Run: 15-6-5-4-3-3-8-14-7-8-6-3-{2}-4-5-10-18-37-37-36>20 weeks

Perhaps surprisingly, Rihanna's number two smash outsold her number one smash! :o This ballad about cheating on your lover (:lol:!) was a main fixture of many summer playlists and is still fondly remembered. ^_^

 

11 - Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars (882,746, peaked at number 1 for a week in August)

Chart Run: 9-{1}-2-4-7-10-13-19-30>9 weeks

Here we have a fixture of many year end top 5s! This song packed a LOT of airplay for me in a small time - hence the quick fall from my chart and hence me despising it now :cry:

So, we're down to the top ten...

 

50 - September - Satellites

49 - Shakira - Don't Bother

48 - All Saints - Rock Steady

47 - Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On

46 - Orson - Bright Idea

45 - Christina Aguilera - Hurt

44 - Outkast - The Mighty "O"

43 - Texas - Sleep

42 - Arctic Monkeys - Sun Goes Down (Scummy)

41 - Beyonce - Ring The Alarm

40 - Avril Lavigne - Keep Holding On

39 - Amy Winehouse - Rehab

38 - Ne*Yo - So Sick

37 - Snow Patrol feat. Martha Wainwright - Set The Fire To The Third Bar

36 - Nelly Furtado - All Good Things (Come To An End)

35 - Meck feat. Leo Sayer - Thunder In My Heart Again

34 - Sean Paul - Temperature

33 - Keyshia Cole - Love

32 - Fall Out Boy - Dance, Dance

31 - Mary J Blige - Be Without You

30 - LL Cool J feat. Jennifer Lopez - Control Myself

29 - The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes

28 - Elena Paparizou - Mambo!

27 - Nelly Furtado - Say It Right

26 - Pussycat Dolls feat. Timbaland - Wait A Minute

25 - Infernal - From Paris To Berlin

24 - The Fray - Over My Head (Cable Car)

23 - Gwen Stefani - Wind It Up

22 - Infernal - Self Control

21 - Fergie - Fergalicious

20 - Orson - No Tomorrow

19 - Carola - Invincible

18 - Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland - SexyBack

17 - Prince - Fury

16 - Gnarls Barkley - Crazy

15 - Prince - Love

14 - Rihanna - SOS (Rescue Me)

13 - Nelly Furtado - Maneater

12 - Rihanna - Unfaithful

11 - Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

 

Top ten coming up next.

10 - Fergie - London Bridge (Oh Shit!)

(1,000,627, peaked at number one for a week in August)

 

http://www3.hmv.co.uk/hmv/Large_Images/HMV/1707129.JPG

 

 

Chart Run: 14-12-7-6-9-{1}-2-6-7-14-17-15-23-30-39>15 weeks

 

Fergie made her presence known with this stomping hip hop track which (audaciously!) knocked Christina from my number one. Who could know a song this dirty could be this good? Oh, and the use of Tower Bridge was intentional because London Bridge is boring :lol: