December 16Dec 16 On 13/12/2025 at 22:08, Last Dreamer said:Now I'm sure that the worst single from 2000s decade will win here.I was wrong."Crazy" is in my all-time worst 10 singles and worst from 2000s decade. Also it's a contender for the most annoying song ever.
December 16Dec 16 It's definitely unique, it's one I've always liked rather than loved (unlike 'Smiley Faces' which I really did love)
December 16Dec 16 Might have the only one, I genuinely thought their 2008 single 'Run' was going to be an massive hit, I can remember hearing that quite a lot.6 hours ago, Last Dreamer said:6 hours ago, Last Dreamer said:I was wrong."Crazy" is in my all-time worst 10 singles and worst from 2000s decade. Also it's a contender for the most annoying song ever.I'm very curious to hear what is your Top 10 worst singles from the 2000s.
December 16Dec 16 Of course when I thought 'Maneater', I remember this that was an recent discovery:The late John Bardon aka Jim Branning from EastEnders version with Jocelyn Brown.
December 16Dec 16 3 hours ago, Mack. said:I'm very curious to hear what is your Top 10 worst singles from the 2000s.I compiled My Top 100 songs from UK Top 40 (2000s decade)Maybe I will do the worst list one day.
December 16Dec 16 Author 01 My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade Kept off #1: nothing directly, but Bob Sinclar's 'Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now)' at #3 was the highest non-#1 during MCR's fortnight at #1My Chemical Romance was formed by vocalist Gerard Way and drummer Matt Pelissier, soon after the tragic 9/11 attacks. Way had been interning for Cartoon Network in New York at the time and seeing the effects of this devastating event first-hand had a profound impact on him over the following weeks. He wanted to get out into the world and make a difference. The line-up of the band also included Gerard's brother and bass guitarist, Mikey Way, who created the group's name after coming across the Irvine Welsh novel Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance. Ray Toro was also recruited as the band's guitarist as Gerard could not sing and play guitar simultaneously at the time. Rhythm guitarist Frank Iero was later added to the line-up just days before My Chemical Romance would record their debut album. This record, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, was released in 2002 and initially did not attract much attention. However, critics slowly began to review it and the band were able to build-up a fanbase on Myspace over the coming years. The group announced in 2003 that they had now signed to major label Reprise Records and prepared to release sophomore record Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge the following year. Matt Pelissier was replaced with Bob Bryar very shortly after the album came out. Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge charted at #34 in the U.K. although would later achieve a much higher peak of #9 just this year, thanks to a deluxe reissue for its 21st birthday. This era gave the band a few top 40 singles including top 20 hits 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)' and 'Helena', charting at #19 and #20 respectively. Third album The Black Parade would take the band's success to new heights. This was a concept album based on a character named 'The Patient' who is suffering from terminal cancer. The record chronicles his story as he is nearing the end of his life. The album reached #2 here in the U.K. and left a huge legacy, immediately altering the sound of 'emo' music and influencing the rap world too, particularly metalcore bands. The record's impact also stretched to alternative fashion and culture. The Daily Mail shamefully jumped on the rising popularity of emo culture and framed it as a moral panic, using the suicide of a girl who was a fan of My Chemical Romance to further their agenda. Hundreds of fans protested outside of their office in response, criticising them for inaccuracies and exploitation. This resulted in the newspaper editing their story and issuing an apology. Despite their influence on the culture, Gerard Way did not like their music being described as 'emo', finding it a restrictive label.'Welcome to the Black Parade' was chosen as the single to lead the campaign with. It focuses on the aforementioned character 'The Patient' and explores the afterlife. The song was originally known as 'The Five of Us Are Dying', as far back as 2001, but the band repeatedly struggled to feel satisfied with the final product. The turning point was producer Rob Cavallo creating its famous piano line. This addition finally motivated the group to finish what would become known as 'Welcome to the Black Parade'. The lyrics open with 'The Patient' recalling his fondest childhood memory ahead of his impending death, in this case, it's his father taking him to see a marching band, inspired by a true anecdote in Gerard and Mikey's Way's life, when their own dad took them to see a parade. As the song progresses, we learn of advice that this father had dispensed to his son in a God-like way, such as: "he said, son, when you grow up, would you be the saviour of the broken, the beaten, and the damned?". The overarching theme is overcoming darkness in the world and the triumph of the human spirit. The character never gave up on his dreams during his lifetime which means he became the hero his dad wanted, even if he does not see himself in this way. This intriguing mix of conceptual lyrics and production, that can be described as emo music, pop-punk or even rock opera, provided a unique U.K. #1 single for the 21st century. 'Welcome to the Black Parade' initially debuted at #23 but then climbed to #1 for not one, but two weeks! At the time, I was reliant on Now! That's What I Call Music track lists and booklets for chart knowledge, not actually tuning into the chart show until 2007. 'Welcome to the Black Parade' never made a Now album, so I found out about its chart-topping status quite late, when I became more of an internet user. I remember being taken aback that this was an actual #1 hit! But very pleased. Little did I know, the music video for a track I'd come to love so much was being filmed on my actual birthday in 2006, as the visuals for 'Welcome to the Black Parade' were shot over the 3rd and 4th August that year. Lukas Haas plays 'The Patient', who is guided into a dystopian looking afterlife. The band also appear (in their Black Parade costumes) and so do other characters from the story of this conceptual world - such as 'Fear', 'Mother War' and 'Regret'. The costs were high so the label insisted that the group filmed another music video during the same shoot. This resulted in the creation of visuals for second single 'Famous Last Words' too, which directly follows on from the storyline of the 'Welcome to the Black Parade' video.At the time, pop music was my world, with The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits particularly acting as my pop bible during the later months of the year. I still love them to this day, plus plenty of other pop music, but my tastes have become decidedly more alt-leaning over the years. So 'Welcome to the Black Parade' may not come as too much of a surprise as my favourite #1 hit of 2006 - well done to those who guessed correctly, you know me too well! I think my earliest form of My Chemical Romance appreciation was singing my heart out to 'Helena' on the SingStar games. One of my secondary school best friends then helped me get into their music more broadly. They were a super fan of both Paramore and My Chemical Romance, with a massive crush on Gerard Way. Both of these bands became part of my musical library too and I was particularly stunned by 'Welcome to the Black Parade', which I've continued to rate as their best. There is so much that I love about this song... from the word go, that opening piano note is so beautiful and impactful. In subsequent years, it has become a bit of a meme, in a "play this to make an emo cry" kind of way. I know nothing about the theory behind piano playing but am aware that this note is a G5, thanks to the aforementioned memes. This slow start is also accompanied by an initially tender vocal performance from Gerard. The subject matter makes me feel a range of emotions. Writing about someone in terminal decline who is coming face to face with an impending death is obviously a difficult subject. But they tackle it sensitively and the creative, conceptual world allows the story to have that element of escapism too. The lyrics include imagery such as phantoms, demons and of course, the Black Parade, on top of real human connections. There is of course a lot of hope offered as well. Gerard's concept of a special childhood memory being your last thought ahead of the afterlife is quite a comforting outlook. The more general themes of human triumph and overcoming dark times are uplifting too - with "we'll carry on" being a particularly euphoric call to arms. The "give a cheer for all the broken, listen here, because it's who we are" also stands out to me as a great message of strength. After the introductory piano, the production continues to build tension well, as the drums during the first verse make it feel like an actual marching band is passing. Gerard Way's vocals become more passionate and striking too. 'Welcome to the Black Parade' then launches into a towering instrumental portion that shifts the energy of song into another place. Those pounding drums and guitars are electrifying. The chorus feels genuinely anthemic while the breakdown later on is an intense ride, with "I don't care!" a powerful and defiant rounding off ahead of that final, exhilarating chorus. 'We'll carry on' is the perfect note to end on, doubling in meaning as the human spirit continuing to triumph against darkness but also, conceptually, continuing in life after death. Gerard's final elongated note, taking us into the marching instrumental outro, is the cherry on top of a standout vocal performance. 'Welcome to the Black Parade' never commits to one lane and I find this constant shapeshifting a treat to listen to. I applaud their ambition here and am delighted that they were eventually able to complete the song so effectively after shelving it for quite a few years. Like with 'Crazy', I approve of the public once again allowing something quite unusual and unique to not only become a chart-topper, but a multi-week one at that. What an epic, special song and great chart moment to look back on. 🖤
December 16Dec 16 Author Well, that was great fun to put together!I typically have a history for walls of text when it comes to countdowns (in recent years: on an annual basis in the End of Year section of the forum) but I wasn’t expecting to fully get into that mode on this occasion, fresh off hosting the BuzzJack Song Contest, a huge undertaking in itself. However, I evidently couldn’t help myself, when 2006 had some real gems to fire up enthusiasm. Getting ill during the second-tier of the countdown was unfortunate timing but thankfully I was on the mend in time for the top 10 and could really lock in for those ultimate highlights. I loved reconnecting with this music, from revisiting Take That’s Beautiful World in full last week to a My Chemical Romance binge in the background while working from home today. The British Public had some great taste in chart-toppers during 2006!Thank you to everyone who followed along. I really appreciate how much you all engaged with the thread and hope this pacing was okay, one at a time, albeit daily. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts and memories of the year. Your own 2006 lists are of course welcome. ❤️But first… My rank of 2006 U.K. #1s in full:My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade Gnarls Barkley - Crazy 🥈Nelly Furtado - Maneater 🥉Arctic Monkeys - When the Sun Goes DownShakira - Hips Don’t Lie (feat. Wyclef Jean)Take That - PatienceScissor Sisters - I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’Justin Timberlake - SexyBackMadonna - SorryLily Allen - SmileRazorlight - AmericaMeck - Thunder In My Heart Again (feat. Leo Sayer)Fedde Le Grande - Put Your Hands Up For DetroitBeyoncé - Déjà Vu (feat. Jay-Z)Orson - No TomorrowNe-Yo - So SickMcFly - Star GirlAkon - Smack That (feat. Eminem)Notorious B.I.G. - Nasty Girl (feat. Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm)Chico - It’s Chico TimeSandi Thom - I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair)Leona Lewis - A Moment Like ThisMcFly - Don’t Stop Me Now / Please, PleaseWestlife - The RoseI believe it’s over to @Scene with 2007 next! Over and out xxx
December 16Dec 16 Great choice there, Jade.'Welcome To The Black Parade' was used as the montage music for the end of ITV F1's coverage from 1997-2008, an great song used for this particular montage, one of the great sport montages I remember it particularly well:
December 16Dec 16 6 hours ago, Mack. said:Of course when I thought 'Maneater', I remember this that was an recent discovery:The late John Bardon aka Jim Branning from EastEnders version with Jocelyn Brown.Poor Jocelyn Brown has had to duet with Jim Branning AND Right Said Fred (the latter recently in the 1991 thread)! Edited December 16Dec 16 by TheSnake
December 16Dec 16 I know that "Welcome To The Black Parade" is a well produced song, but it never catched me, so that this ended at #15 for me. My absolute favourite #1 of 2006 is Lily Allen - Smile. Such a beautiful energetic, positive, catchy perfect pop song.Here is my complete ranking:24. McFly - Don't Stop Me Now 23. Westlife - The Rose 22. McFly - Star Girl 21. Chico - It's Chico Time 20. Meck/Leo Sayer - Thunder In My Heart Again 19. Akon Feat. Eminem - Smack That 18. Orson - No Tomorrow 17. Notorious B.I.G./P. Diddy/Nelly/Jagged Edge/Avery Storm/Jagged Edge - Nasty Girl 16. Beyoncé Feat. Jay-Z - Déjà Vu 15. My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade 14. Leona Lewis - A Moment Like This 13. Ne-Yo - So Sick 12. Sandi Thom - I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair) 11. Razorlight - America 10. Madonna - Sorry 9. Take That - Patience 8. Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down 7. Nelly Furtado - Maneater 6. Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin' 5. Justin Timberlake - SexyBack 4. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy 3. Fedde Le Grand - Put Your Hands Up For Detroit 2. Shakira Feat. Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't Lie 1. Lily Allen - Smile Edited December 16Dec 16 by DaTilt
December 16Dec 16 Brilliant top 2. I would swap them as “Crazy” is a big all time favourite for me. It’s rare for a single to be both so big and so brilliant - getting to #1 on downloads alone really was unthinkable at the time. But “…Black Parade” is unique in the canon of chart toppers and an absolutely epic piece of music.
December 16Dec 16 Thanks for a brilliant countdown Jade!Not much difference in my ranking, but a few that I’d elevate into the lower Top 10.Gnarls Barkley - CrazyMy Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black ParadeArctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes DownNelly Furtado - ManeaterShakira - Hips Don’t Lie (feat. Wyclef Jean)Razorlight - AmericaTake That - PatienceScissor Sisters - I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’Fedde Le Granfe - Put Your Hands Up For DetroitOrson - No TomorrowLily Allen - SmileMcFly - Star GirlJustin Timberlake - SexybackMadonna - SorryNotorious B.I.G. - Nasty Girl (feat. Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm)Beyoncé - Déjà Vu (feat. Jay-Z)Meck - Thunder In My Heart Again (feat. Leo Sayer)Ne-Yo - So SickChico - It’s Chico TimeSandi Thom - I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair)McFly - Don’t Stop Me Now / Please, PleaseAkon - Smack That (feat. Eminem)Leona Lewis - A Moment Like ThisWestlife - The Rose
December 16Dec 16 Great choice for no.1 m, Jade! My friendship group were obsessed with this at the time. A great track and I dare say we haven’t had another no.1 like it since!Thanks for the countdown, 2006 is one of my very favourite years.
December 16Dec 16 Second one in a row where I share the #1 with the thread host, excellent! Thanks for a wonderfully written countdown Jade, been great to read through when I've had the time to, and lots of complete classics that you've covered the backgrounds and compositions of excellently.'Crazy' obviously very well-produced and a lightning-strikes sort of hit, CeeLo's performance is so personable and arresting in his description of going mad, anthemic and very nostalgic now. But it and the rest of this countdown do pale in my affections next to 'Welcome To The Black Parade', which is a towering masterpiece of 21st century rock, there are very few songs within that category I would consider on a par with it and consequently it's definitely one of my favourite songs of all-time. Excellent coverage of the meaning behind the song and its accompanying album in your commentary, and indeed, despite the personification of the band as 'emo', and how many songs on Black Parade definitely show stereotypes of what we consider to be in that subgenre, I agree with Gerard in that this isn't actually an accurate descriptor of their music or at least, not all there is about it, and 'Welcome To The Black Parade' certainly is just a straight up rock epic. About a recalling of life while on death's door, certainly, but anthemic, encouraging and hopeful about the enduring human experience too. Plus that piano line, the drop, the build-up into the final energetic section, it is so perfectly constructed and a number one that, just like the similarly amazing 'Bring Me To Life' from 2003, I am in awe that popular music ever had such good taste to put such a rock epic at the top of the charts even in the 21st century. I said 'Dare' was my favourite #1 of all-time at the end of last thread, I think those 2 would complete the top 3.
December 16Dec 16 So yes, we do indeed share a number 1 *.* It's one of my all time favourite songs and one of the reasons I maintained following the charts seeing wonderful surprises like this at number 1. Even though I was more consciously aware of music and do recall this getting a lot more music channel rotation outside of the likes of MTV2 and Kerrang, I was so surprised it managed number 1 and two weeks at that, and it still stands out hugely. For the song itself, I can't add much to what you've already said, it's just such a finely constructed epic, from the gorgeous opening piano to the triumphant ending, it's such a huge sounding emotive epic that is delivered perfectly. Loved the accompanying album too, was one of the first ones I bought.A lot of love for Crazy as well, a landmark record and what a great song to be that one, just a great all round song production, lyrics and vocal-wise, I do also enjoy Smiley Faces and Gone Daddy Gone (which had a nightmare fuel CGI mosquito video) as well.Seems almost pointless doing my own top 10 as it's so similar to yours, but anyway:My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black ParadeArctic Monkeys - When the Sun Goes DownGnarls Barkley - CrazyNelly Furtado - ManeaterScissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin'Take That - PatienceJustin Timberlake - SexybackShakira feat. Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't LieMadonna - SorryOrson - No TomorrowSo yes very nice xExcellent commentaries throughout, Jade, always love a detailed contextual dissection of a songs as well documented 😎 looking forward to the next few years where I was in full chart geek mode x
December 16Dec 16 That's a great #1 for this countdown, and although I'd have 'Crazy' slightly ahead, it's another unique sounding hit that struck through to get its place at the top of the chart. I wouldn't have been a fan of most of what could be described as "emo", but this commanded attention and is so beautifully constructed, full of layers, and sung and played with such conviction, from the opening piano line, the many changes in tempo and lyrical theme of the human spirit.My top 10 could be:Gnarls Barkley - CrazyMy Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black ParadeRazorlight - AmericaArctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes DownShakira - Hips Don’t Lie (feat. Wyclef Jean)Nelly Furtado - ManeaterTake That - PatienceJustin Timberlake - SexybackScissor Sisters - I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’Meck - Thunder In My Heart Again (feat. Leo Sayer)Thanks Jade for the countdown and detailed commentaries within!
December 16Dec 16 I didn't like Welcome To The Black Parade at all when it was released, to the extent it probably would've been in my bottom 3. It's really grown on me over time though and I can enjoy it a fair bit now.
December 16Dec 16 Thanks for hosting this @Jade I really enjoyed following along. It brought back some great memories of my last year of high school.Looking forward to seeing @Scene take on 2007!
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