October 20Oct 20 'Fastlove' is my favourite George song, and 'Breathe' is my favourite of the two Prodigy #1s. I love how brash it is, and the bassline, and how it takes you on such a wild ride from start to finish
October 21Oct 21 Not really a fan of Breathe, though I'e never been a huge fan of that type of music.
October 21Oct 21 Love Fastlove, very much the most commercial track on the album, but as classy and seemingly effortlessly smooth and sensual - but if it was that easy everyone would have been doing it. George was nothing if not meticulous. Classic. Breathe was Firestarter part 2 for me, but not quite as good, though still pulsing and punching and manic.
October 21Oct 21 'Breathe' is an excellent start to the top 5!Love the dark, brash big beat production and memorable trade of vocals.It is my favourite of the two Prodigy #1s this year but they're both so standout that I don't mind that the other is higher.
October 21Oct 21 Both great No.1s, agreed Fastlove is one of George Michael's best 90s singles, very fun and funky.I think I'd narrowly rank Breathe higher than Firestarter, although the latter is more impactful - particularly because it came first.
October 21Oct 21 Author 4. The Prodigy – Firestarter3 weeks at number 1, MarchAI summary: A Molotov cocktail lobbed into the heart of the charts, “Firestarter” exploded at No.1 in March 1996 — The Prodigy’s first chart-topper and a defining moment for British electronic music. With Keith Flint’s snarling vocals and a breakbeat backbone, it dragged rave culture into the mainstream, terrifying and thrilling in equal measure. A landmark single that lit the fuse for a new era of crossover chaos.My take: I was just sat gobsmacked at the video for Firestarter when I saw it on TOTP. It was like some alien had landed and it was just AWESOME! Clearly the Prodigy had been hiding their MVP for years in the background and here was Keith Flint at the centre with his reverse mohawk and piercings taking about starting fires. What is not to love?! A dance music earthquake and I love how it got complaints from frightened kids and annoyed adults. HA.
October 21Oct 21 Author 3. Spice Girls - Say You'll Be There2 weeks at number 1, OctoberAI summary: After the whirlwind debut of “Wannabe,” the Spice Girls returned with a cooler, sleeker follow-up — and proved they were no one-hit wonder. “Say You’ll Be There” glided to No.1 in October 1996, armed with kung-fu desert visuals, harmonica hooks, and a promise of girl power with a side of R&B polish. It became their second of nine UK chart-toppers, cementing their pop dominance as the 90s’ most iconic girl group. My take: This is my favourite Spice Girls song so its only fitting it causes a pop upset in the top 5! There was no doubt at the time that this would be a second number 1 for them after its dominance on the music channel The Box. It was the song that actually took over Wannabe on the channel as most popular when released! The video in the desert is iconic, breezy and classy and the harmonica player was the same man that performed on Culture Club's Karma Chameleon!
October 21Oct 21 Breathe is probably my favourite #1 of the year I think, absolutely love it - although it is very close with something that hasn't featured yet. I love how they came back again with something that actually managed to outsell Firestarter, which in turn would be top 3 for me I think - although I'll see when I rank them after you've finished.Fastlove is my other favourite here. I didn't care for it that much at the time, I don't think I could understand why yet another song was sampling Forget-me-Nots so soon after Men in Black... but I do like it now, I particularly enjoy the Full Part II mix where he intertwines I'm Your Man into it, it's a fun way of ending it.
October 21Oct 21 1 hour ago, dandy* said:Fastlove is my other favourite here. I didn't care for it that much at the time, I don't think I could understand why yet another song was sampling Forget-me-Nots so soon after Men in Black... but I do like it now, I particularly enjoy the Full Part II mix where he intertwines I'm Your Man into it, it's a fun way of ending it.'Fastlove' came a year before 'Men in Black' - it was Will Smith who was behind the curve there!If you swapped 'Wannabe' and 'Say You'll Be There', the top 5 wouldn't be far off my own, although I'd also have 'Three Lions' and The Fugees' songs challenging for places, but 'Firestarter' is an essential and the standout moment of that era for The Prodigy for me.
October 22Oct 22 Oh! My core memory is clearly two songs at the same sort of time rather than the detail 😂
October 22Oct 22 Say Youll Be There stomped on any notions that Wannabe was a one-off novelty, and had legs, never got annoying. Great video too. Firsestarter I rushed out to buy while it was still first-week-cheaper, it was an Oh My Word moment, and an exciting classic still.
October 22Oct 22 Author 8 hours ago, dandy* said:Oh! My core memory is clearly two songs at the same sort of time rather than the detail 😂Details eh?
October 22Oct 22 I like “Say You’ll Be There” but it wouldn’t be anywhere near #3 for me, and “2 Become 1” is my favourite of the trio from this year. “Breathe”, “Fastlove” and “Ready Or Not” are probably my favourites so far.
October 22Oct 22 Always thought it was leagues better than 'Wannabe', and it still sounds great today!
October 23Oct 23 Author 2. The Chemical Brothers – Setting Sun1 week at number 1, OctoberAI summary: thunderous collision of psychedelia and big beat, “Setting Sun” marked a seismic moment for UK dance music. With Noel Gallagher’s distorted vocals riding a maelstrom of breakbeats and squalling synths, the Chemical Brothers channelled the spirit of The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows” into something feral and futuristic. It debuted at No.1, giving the duo their first chart-topper and cementing their role as pioneers of the electronic underground gone mainstream. A riot in sound — and a defining anthem of the late ’90s.My take: A huge epic throbbing dance track with vocals from Noel Gallagher, this is by far my favourite Chemical Brothers song. I think Noel elevates the song (and was certainly the reason this hit the top spot). Superb.
October 23Oct 23 Author 1. Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger1 week at number 1, MarchAI summary: Britpop hymn for the ages, “Don’t Look Back In Anger” saw Noel Gallagher step up to lead vocals and deliver one of Oasis’s most enduring ballads. With its Lennon-esque piano intro and arms-aloft chorus, the track became a cultural touchstone — a song of defiance, nostalgia, and unity. It gave Oasis their second No.1 single and remains a staple of football terraces, memorials, and festival singalongs alike. “So Sally can wait…” became more than a lyric — it became a national refrain.My take: No shocks here at ny number 1! This is, in fact, my favourite number 1 not only of 1996 or the 90s, but ever. A total britpop classic and has risen to the status of being Oasis's signature song. I have always been puzzled why Oasis kept this a 4th single (and Wonderwall as a 3rd!) from Whats the Story... when they released the average Roll With It first. This was released at the absolute peak of Oasis mania and it happened that their best single deserved number 1. Even the video is a classic and they just look so cool! Oasis would have claimed 1996 as theirs if not for those pesky Spice Girls!
October 23Oct 23 Author Full countdown1. Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger2. The Chemical Brothers – Setting Sun3. Spice Girls - Say You'll Be There4. The Prodigy – Firestarter5. The Prodigy – Breathe6. George Michael – Fastlove7. Spice Girls – 2 Become 18. Deep Blue Something - Breakfast At Tiffany’s9. Spice Girls – Wannabe10. Gina G - Ooh Aah Just A Little Bit11. The Fugees – Killing Me Softly12. The Fugees - Ready Or Not13. George Michael - Jesus To A Child14. Baddiel / Skinner / Lighting Seeds – 3 Lions15. Babylon Zoo – Spaceman16. Boyzone – Words17. Mark Morrison – Return Of The Mack18. Robson & Jerome - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted19. Boyzone – A Different Beat20. Take That – How Deep Is Your Love21. Peter Andre – Flava22. Robson & Jerome - Saturday Night At The Movies23. Robson & Jerome - You’ll Never Walk Alone24. Gary Barlow – Forever Love25. Dunblane - Knockin On Heaven's Door26. Peter Andre – I Feel YouThanks to those of you that have been following and commenting on 1996! 1997 to follow next week.
October 23Oct 23 Great countdown Jester!No surprises indeed at the No.1 but not one I can argue with either, it was so epic at Wembley last month, I got goosebumps hearing the crowd sing it back, it's a masterpiece.Setting Sun is really strong too, I love the Tomorrow Never Knows influence.My rank: Gina G - Ooh Aah Just A Little BitSpice Girls – 2 Become 1Spice Girls - Say You'll Be ThereOasis – Don’t Look Back In AngerBaddiel / Skinner / Lighting Seeds – 3 LionsGeorge Michael – FastloveThe Prodigy – BreatheThe Prodigy – FirestarterThe Fugees - Ready Or NotSpice Girls – WannabeBoyzone – A Different BeatBabylon Zoo – SpacemanThe Chemical Brothers – Setting SunDeep Blue Something - Breakfast At Tiffany’sThe Fugees – Killing Me SoftlyGeorge Michael - Jesus To A ChildMark Morrison – Return Of The MackBoyzone – WordsTake That – How Deep Is Your LovePeter Andre – FlavaRobson & Jerome - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted/You’ll Never Walk Alone/Saturday Night At The MoviesDunblane - Knockin On Heaven's DoorGary Barlow – Forever LovePeter Andre – I Feel YouEverything from Words down I woudn't choose to listen to but I like the rest. The top five are all-time favourites of mine.
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