I really loved that era from U2!

17. Elton John - Something About the Way You Look Tonight

5 weeks at number 1, August/September

AI summary: A double A-side release steeped in emotion and history, this single became the UK’s best-selling of all time. “Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” a lush, romantic ballad in classic Elton style, was paired with “Candle in the Wind 1997,” a reworking of his 1973 tribute to Marilyn Monroe—this time honouring Princess Diana after her tragic death. The result was a cultural moment: a song of mourning, love, and national reflection.

My take: The way better side of this AA, this is a great ballad by Elton and I think it gets better with age!

Agreed that the U2 song isn't that great. Desire, Beautiful Day and Vertigo I like from their No.1s (and Take Me To The Clouds Above if you count it), but certainly they had more classics that didn't get to the top.

I really like that Elton song, I wonder how it would have done on its own merits alone - low top 10 maybe, it's a very classy single but there's nothing to suggest it would have been a huge hit judging by his other peaks around this time. At least we were spared from seeing Candle In The Wind over and over again on TOTP as they actually played this more instead! To the delight of the 1% of buyers who purchased the single for this song (and those of us with functioning ears).

With Elton we have moved into songs I actually like!

The next section up to 10 was really hard to place and I’ve changed it round a few times.

Something About The Way You Look Tonight is the first Elton John song I can clearly remember hearing.

30 minutes ago, gooddelta said:

Agreed that the U2 song isn't that great. Desire, Beautiful Day and Vertigo I like from their No.1s (and Take Me To The Clouds Above if you count it), but certainly they had more classics that didn't get to the top.

I really like that Elton song, I wonder how it would have done on its own merits alone - low top 10 maybe, it's a very classy single but there's nothing to suggest it would have been a huge hit judging by his other peaks around this time. At least we were spared from seeing Candle In The Wind over and over again on TOTP as they actually played this more instead! To the delight of the 1% of buyers who purchased the single for this song (and those of us with functioning ears).

It was the same over here. This was the time I was starting to watch the Saturday morning Top 50 countdown on TV. They always played Something About The Way You Look Tonight, so I was oblivious to Candle In The Wind 1997. I wasn’t until a few months later when I found out my mum had the single of it that I heard it.

Thats a latter good Elton song, though I wouldnt call it a classic by any means compared to most of his 70's and early 80's output, and nowhere near as good as Sacrifice or Healing hands either. U2, I loved Discotheque's psychedelic dancerock vibes, and I loved they were taking musical risks, that would be way higher for me.

16. Will Smith - Men In Black

4 weeks at number 1, August

AI summary: Released as the lead single from the Men in Black soundtrack, this slick sci-fi anthem saw Will Smith step confidently into his music-meets-movie era. Sampling Patrice Rushen’s “Forget Me Nots,” the track fused funk with futuristic swagger, riding the wave of the film’s box office success. It debuted at #1 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1997, giving Smith his first solo chart-topper and cementing his status as a crossover star. The single spent 4 weeks in the Top 10 and became one of the year’s defining summer hits — all delivered with a wink and a neuralyzer flash.

My take: Huge soundtrack number 1 here and the second song is just over a year to sample Forget Me Nots. I am not a huge fan of the song but its pretty decent and was massive at the time. His shenanigans at the Oscars has tainted me a bit towards him and his music though, even if I still love the film!

15. Hanson - MMMBop

3 weeks at number 1, June

AI summary: A burst of sunshine from Tulsa’s teen trio, “MMMBop” exploded onto the UK charts in June 1997, landing straight at #1. Infectious and deceptively bittersweet, the track blended bubblegum pop with soulful harmonies and earned Hanson instant global fame. Written by the brothers themselves, its nonsensical chorus masked lyrics about the fleeting nature of relationships — a surprisingly mature theme wrapped in pure pop joy. It spent 3 weeks at #1 and became one of the most iconic hits of the decade, turning the Hanson boys into poster stars overnight.

My take: In an MMMBop is gone - this was number 1 when I finished university and will always remind me of that time. This is a great summery pop song and although most of the lyrics are a bit nonsensical, they are about quick fleeting moments (like the 3 wonderful years I had at Uni). Pretty much a decent slice of joy!

I’ve never been the biggest Will Smith fan and I’ve never been overly keen on Men In Black.

MMMBop on the other hand is one that’s grown on me over the past 28 years.

I liked Men In Black at the time and it still is pretty catchy, it's just a shame that it defeated Tubthumping for all those weeks as that's definitely the more iconic track.

I never really liked Mmmbop as it just really wasn't my style at the time. I don't hate it as much now but it's still my least favourite of a trio of songs that I felt were played non-stop everywhere over that Summer (the three being Mmmbop, I Wanna Be The Only One and Lovefool).

Lovefool was everywhere, shame it missed number 1 or it would have been in my top 10 here.

21 minutes ago, Jester said:

Lovefool was everywhere, shame it missed number 1 or it would have been in my top 10 here.

I remember Lovefool being everywhere here in Australia too. It only peaked at #11 here though.

I really like Mmmbop, a great wistful quality to that, with some lovely chord structure in the verses (a bit reminiscent to the verses of Unpretty by TLC).

Never been that big on Men In Black, I think Will released better singles in 1998 that didn't get to the top.

Men In Black is catchy fun and plugs a classic movie. Still adore it. Will was boxoffice gold in those days and i still rate his movie work even if he did ask for a slapdown. So to speak. Lovefool and Tubthumping both classic misses.

Mmmbop was a bubblegum teen pop and i under rated it due to saturation plays. I think it has worn very well with age as have most of their hit singles.

Don't mind 'Men In Black' and Mmmbop' is my fave to drop out so far. A classic teen bop from childhood!

14. Spice Girls – Too Much

Number 1 for 3 weeks, December

AI summary: The Spice Girls closed out 1997 with their second Christmas No.1, as “Too Much” glided to the top spot with cinematic flair. A sultry ballad from the Spiceworld era, it showcased a more mature sound while still delivering peak Spice charisma. Released alongside their feature film, the track proved their chart dominance was no fluke—five No.1s in a row and counting. “Too Much” was anything but, cementing their status as the UK’s reigning pop monarchs heading into 1998.

My take: Doo-wop at Christmas! This is another cosy festive sounding Spice Girls Christmas number 1 and was from the massive Spiceworld: The Movie film and was at a time when they were everywhere. I really like this one, but they certainly had better songs in 1997.

13. Aqua – Barbie Girl

Number 1 for 4 weeks, October/November

AI summary: Plastic, fantastic, and utterly unforgettable, Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” burst onto the UK charts in 1997 like a glitter cannon at a rave. With its Eurodance bounce and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, the Danish-Norwegian quartet turned a Mattel doll into a pop culture icon all over again. Despite legal tussles with Barbie’s makers, the single strutted to No.1 and stayed there for four weeks, becoming one of the most polarizing yet iconic hits of the decade. Love it or loathe it, you couldn’t escape it—and that was kind of the point.

My take: A genuine ear worm and huge dose of marmite, this is the biggest pure pop song of 1997 and was righfully a massive hit. I love it ironically. I think. Or, I just love it!

It's not even the best song about Barbie doll (YVA ❤️). Also I prefer Kaia Tamm's parody and Samanda cover is more girlish and joyful.

Edited Sunday at 19:163 days by Last Dreamer

Too Much is my favourite Spice Girls song from 1997.

Barbie Girl was actually the first song I was 'obsessed' with growing up.

So whilst it's far from Aqua's best and not the best song of 1997 I will always have a soft spot for it.