yay proper classics amongst the Reality TV dross, Crazy and Kylie, with bonus goodie from Leona. Would be nice if they were actual million sellers, not including streaming, by now I guess, or may one day be with trickle downloads or vinyl Record Day issues and the like. I can dream...

Genuinely looking forward to the top 6, as I’ve completely forgotten what the songs are.

06.DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS?- Band Aid 20 (1,127,300)

 

YEAR: 2004

PEAK POSITION: 1

WKS ON CHART: 11

 

Right we aren’t going to mention Dizzee’s rap!  Recorded to mark the 20^th anniversary of the original Band Aid there was a whole heap of publicity when this was announced and it resulted in pretty much all the bookies not taking any bets on who would be the festive chart topper.  They proved to be wise as the song sold a million during its 4 weeks at No 1 and easily became the biggest seller of 2004 so it did the job in terms of sales and raising revenue.  Little fun fact- this was the first Christmas No 1 not released in the week of the Christmas chart since 1995.

05. HALLELUJAH- Alexander Burke (1,172,495)

 

YEAR: 2008

PEAK POSITION: 1

WKS ON CHART: 12

 

Another Christmas and another X Factor coronation single, but in some ways the chart race of Christmas 2008 had many portents for the following year RATM Vs Joe McElderry.  When the winning single was revealed to be a cover of the 1984 Leonard Cohen track it prompted multiple facebook campaigns to suggest that buying alternative versions would register a good protest and so it was that not only was Burke’s version No 1 but Jeff Buckley’s cover stood at No 2 and even Chen’s original crept into the top 40.  It was the first time that competing versions of the same track were top 2 was way back in 1957 but it showed the power of a well-orchestrated campaign- note made for 1 year later!  Nothing would stop Burke in 2008 with a mighty 576k copies sold to become the year’s festive No 1.

1 hour ago, Gezza said:

06.DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS?- Band Aid 20 (1,127,300)

 

Little fun fact- this was the first Christmas No 1 not released in the week of the Christmas chart since 1995.

Neither Bob The Builder (in 2000) nor Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman (in 2001) were released in the Christmas chart week.

5 minutes ago, paulgilb said:

Neither Bob The Builder (in 2000) nor Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman (in 2001) were released in the Christmas chart week.

Quite right- I think what i meant (which is clealry not what i wrote) is that it hit No 1 and remained there to be the festive chart topper for the longest time before the big day itself.

04. IT WASN’T ME- Shaggy Featuring Rik “Rok” Ducent (1,204,900)

 

YEAR: 2001

PEAK POSITION: 1

WKS ON CHART: 20

 

Shaggy doing gaslighting before it was even a recognised thing!  One of only three tracks (to this point) where an import reached the top 40 before the official release indicating a major hit on the horizon and it certainly was as it blazed a trail to the top on a sale of 345k and sold over 100k for 4 weeks straight as it raced away to the best selling single of the year.

03. (IS THIS THE WAY TO) AMARILLO?- Tony Christie Featuring Peter Kay (1,207,300)

 

YEAR: 2005

PEAK POSITION: 1

WKS ON CHART: 28

Co-written by Neil Sedaka this song flopped in the US when Christie originally released it in 1971 though it made No 18 here, it remained something of a cult hit and certainly has a place in the heart of comedian Peter Kay who used the track as the intro to his live shows for some time as well as in the show “Pheonix Nights” and had toyed with the idea of releasing it at intervals.  The opportunity came in 2005 for Comic Relief and with Christie on board a memorable video featuring Cameo’s from various stars was aired and pretty much made the video something of a cultural moment.  The single exploded at retail (even though it wasn’t the official Comic Relief single for the year) sending 7 weeks at No 1 and selling over 900,000 whilst there.

02. UNCHAINED MELODY- Gareth Gates (1,411,200)

 

YEAR: 2002

PEAK POSITION: 1

WKS ON CHART: 30

 

For those of us who were there at the time you might recall that it was actually Gareth Gates who was the favourite to win “Pop Idol” when it reached the final episode, the boy with the stammer had been taken to our hearts and all looked set fair for his pop career.  Taking a cover of a track which had already been No 1 for Jimmy Young (1955) Righteous Brothers (1990) and Robson & Jerome (1995) might seem like overkill but we were all proved wrong when it racked up sales of 850k in its first week- the third highest weekly tally ever and only looked less remarkable given Will Young’s sale a matter of 3 weeks prior to his debut.  Indeed it was the 8^th version of the track to chart and the first song ever to top the charts in 4 different versions, it was actually picked by Gareth to perform on the show where Cowell noted that his version could be a No1- it was on the cards!  It made him the youngest ever British male solo act to make No 1 at 15 and enabled the song to become the second biggest of the decade repeating the its feat in the 90s (though by a different act).

01.  EVERGREEN/ ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE- Will Young (1,791,315)

 

YEAR: 2002

PEAK POSITION: 1

WKS ON CHART: 16

 

In the end though it was of course Will Young who won “Pop Idol” and given the publicity surrounding it it would have been a miracle if the first single hadn’t been a No 1 but few expected the first week sales of 1.1 million (the biggest first week sales and bettered only by Elton John in terms of any weekly sale).  “Pop Idol” was different to “Popstars” in so much as the public voted and it was an active experience so perhaps the public had more buy in?  As for the song “Evergreen” was already available at the time on the then current Westlife album “World Of Our Own” whilst “Anything Is Possible” was co-penned by Cathy Dennis specifically for the winners single, it was the former that got the bulk of promotion with Will Young saying in later years how much he despised both tracks but as career launches go this must be one of the most spectacular!

The full list!

200. CASTLES IN THE SKY- Ian Van Dahl (354,300)

199. GHETTO GOSPEL- 2Pac Featuring Elton John (354,600)

198. INFINITY 2008- Guru Josh Project (355,700)

197. TOXIC- Britney Spears (355,800)

196. LIVE YOUR LIFE- T.I Featuring Rihanna (358,700)

195. BREAK YOUR HEART- Taio Cruz (360,270)

194. RED- Daniel Merriweather (360,280)

193. RELEASE ME- Agnes (360,500)

192. I TURN TO YOU- Melanie C (361,400)

191. SOMETHING STUPID- Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman (361,900)

 

190. FREESTYLER- Bomfunk MC’s (362,000)

189. HEY YA- Outkast (362,800)

188. THE BOY DOES NOTHING- Alesha Dixon (364,600)

187. I WISH I WAS A PUNKROCKER (WITH FLOWERS IN MY HAIR)- Sandi Thom (365,100)

186. TAKE A BOW- Rihanna (365,800)

185. 21 SECONDS- So Solid Crew (367,400)

184. HEY THERE DELILAH- Plain White T’s (368,600)

183. BREATHE- Blu Cantrell Featuring Sean Paul (368,700)

182. ETERNITY/ THE ROAD TO MANDALAY- Robbie Williams (370,100)

181. AGAINST ALL ODDS- Mariah Carey & Westlife (370,400)

 

180. BEAUTIFUL LIAR- Shakira & Beyonce (371,900)

179. LIGHT MY FIRE- Will Young (372,700)

178. NO AIR- Jordin Sparks Featuring Chris Brown (372,800)

177. DAY N NITE- Kid Cudi Vs Crookers (374,485)

176. NOT FAIR- Lily Allen (375,540)

175. GREATEST DAY- Take That (376,100)

174. EVACUATE THE DANCEFLOOR- Cascada (376,810)

173. EMPIRE STATE OF MIND- Jay Z Featuring Alicia Keys (377,075)

172. ALL THE THINGS SHE SAID- t.A.t.U (378,900)

171. THE MAN WHO CAN’T BE MOVED- The Script (379,300)

 

170. LOVE STORY- Taylor Swift (379,785)

169. THE CHEEKY SONG (TOUCH MY BUM)- The Cheeky Girls (380,400)

168. DON’T STOP THE MUSIC- Rihanna (381,000)

167. I’M YOURS- Jason Mraz (381,400)

166. MAMBO NO 5- Bob The Builder (381,500)

165. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?- City High (381,750)

164. AMERICAN PIE- Madonna (382,000)

163. YOU ARE NOT ALONE- X Factor Finalists (382,900)

162. THAT’S NOT MY NAME- Ting Tings (383,600)

161. ALL SUMMER LONG- Kid Rock (383,800)

 

160. STRONGER- Kanye West (384,100)

159. MANEATER- Nelly Furtado (385,700)

158. NUMB/ ENCORE- Linkin Park/ Jay Z (386,400)

157. HAVE YOU EVER- S Club 7 (387,200)

156. CHA CHA SLIDE- DJ Casper (387,300)

155. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT- Toploader (387,600)

154. ETERNAL FLAME- Atomic Kitten (389,800)

153. CRAZY IN LOVE- Beyonce (391,400)

152. OUT OF YOUR MIND- Truesteppers Featuring Dane Bowers & Victoria Beckham (391,700)

151. BRING ME TO LIFE- Evanescence (392,100)

 

.

 

150. SHINE- Take That (393,800)

149. CHRISTMAS TIME (DON’T LET THE BELLS END)- The Darkness (394,500)

148. WHAT MAKES A MAN- Westlife (394,600)

147. SEXYBACK- Justin Timberlake (394,900)

146. WOMANIZER- Britney Spears (395,765)

145. LIFE IS A ROLLERCOASTER- Ronan Keating (398,700)

144. RUBY- Kaiser Chiefs (402,300)

143. MUSIC- Madonna (404,100)

142. BAD DAY- Daniel Powter (405,900)

141. LONELY- Akon (406,300)

 

140. HOW TO SAVE A LIFE- The Fray (406,700)

139. THE LOGICAL SONG- Scooter (407,400)

138. KISS KISS- Holly Valance (409,200)

137. NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN- Melanie C Featuring Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes (409,600)

136. CLOSER- Ne-Yo (409,700)

135. THE OFFICIAL CHILDREN IN NEED MEDLEY- Peter Kay’s Animated All Star Band (415,475)

134. JAI HO (YOU ARE MY DESTINY)- The Pussycat Dolls & A.R Rahman Featuring Nicole Scherzinger (415,500)

133. THE TIDE IS HIGH (GET THE FEELING)- Atomic Kitten (417,200)

132. FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK- The Pogues Featuring Kirsty McColl (417,400)

131. YEAH!- Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris (418,300)

 

130. DISTURBIA- Rihanna (419,700)

129. YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND/ ALL ABOUT YOU- McFly (421,300)

128. YOU RAISE ME UP- Westlife (422,800)

127. PUSH THE BUTTON- The Sugababes (423,750)

126. SANDSTORM- Darude (428,000)

125. HALO- Beyonce (428,295)

124. BULLETPROOF- La Roux (429,790)

123. VIVA LA VIDA- Coldplay (432,900)

122. I’M NOT ALONE- Calvin Harris (434,680)

121. IT’S RAINING MEN- Geri Halliwell (435,100)

 

120. SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT)- Beyonce (435,700)

119. RIGHT ROUND- Flo Rida Featuring Ke$ha (436,215)

118. 7 DAYS- Craig David (439,200)

117. THE BAD TOUCH- Bloodhound Gang (439,400)

116. THE WAY I ARE- Timbaland Featuring Kerry Hilson & D.O.E. (442,700)

115. CALL ON ME- Eric Prydz (444,900)

114. INDEPENDENT WOMEN PART ONE- Destiny’s Child (445,300)

113. PAPARAZZI- Lady Gaga (458,555)

112. WHEN LOVE TAKES OVER- David Guetta Featuring Kelly Rowland (447,855)

111. OOPS…I DID IT AGAIN- Britney Spears (451,468)

 

 

110. BAD ROMANCE- Lady Gaga (458,555)

109. BEAT AGAIN- JLS (459,430)

108. 4 MINUTES- Madonna Featuring Justin Timberlake (461,900)

107. RISE- Gabrielle (462,400)

106. JCB SONG- Nizlopi (465,600)

105. LADY (HEAR ME TONIGHT)- Modjo (474,100)

104. BONKERS- Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden (480,305)

103. THE REAL SLIM SHADY- Eminem (480,700)

102. CHANGES- Kelly & Ozzy Osbourne (481,300)

101. ABOUT YOU NOW- The Sugababes (482,600)

 

100. THE PROMISE- Girls Aloud (484,000)

99. THE FEAR- Lily Allen (485,980)

98. DO YOU REALLY LIKE IT- DJ Pied Piper & The Masters Of Ceremonies (486,500)

97. CLINT EASTWOOD- Gorillaz (486,800)

96. NOW YOU’RE GONE- Basshunter Featuring DJ Mental Theo’s Bazzheadz (490,100)

95. SO WHAT- Pink (491,560)

94. FILL ME IN- Craig David (493,400)

93. WHEN YOU BELIEVE- Leon Jackson (495,900)

92. BLACK AND GOLD- Sam Sparro (495,900)

91. APOLOGIZE- Timbaland Presents OneRepublic (498,700)

 

90. LADY MARMALADE- Christina Aguilera/ Lil Kim/ Mya/ Pink (501,400)

89. JUST A LITTLE- Liberty X (508,700)

88. IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES- Ronan Keating (510,400)

87. REACH- S Club 7 (511,700)

86. HUMAN- The Killers (512,100)

85. AMERICAN BOY-Estelle Featuring Kanye West (513,800)

84. LOW- Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain (515,750)

83. HOT N COLD- Katy Perry (517,100)

82. SEXY CHICK- David Guetta Featuring Akon (517,237)

81. IF YOU’RE NOT THE ONE- Daniel Bedingfield (521,300)

 

 

80. DANCE WIV ME- Dizzee Rascal Featuring Calvin Harris (521,820)

79. IGNITION (REMIX)- R Kelly (524,700)

78. HEAVEN- DJ Sammy featuring Yanou and Do (527,600)

77. HOW YOU REMIND ME- Nickelback (529,400)

76. VALERIE- Mark Ronson Featuring Amy Winehouse (532,000)

75. DON’T CHA- Pussycat Dolls Featuring Busta Rhymes (536,700)

74. BECAUSE I GOT HIGH- Afroman (537,100)

73. I DON’T FEEL LIKE DANCING- Scissor Sisters (539,900)

72. WITHOUT ME- Eminem (541,700)

71. NUMBER 1- Tinchy Stryder Featuring N-Dubz (547,255)

 

 

70.HUNG UP- Madonna (548,500)

69. LEAVE RIGHT NOW- Will Young (549,300)

68. TOCA’S MIRACLE- Fragma (549,900)

67. AXEL F- Crazy Frog (552,600)

66. GRACE KELLY- Mika (554,400)

65. BROKEN STRINGS- James Morrison & Nelly Furtado (559,105)

64. SPIRIT IN THE SKY- Gareth Gates Featuring The Kumars (563,800)

63. GOTTA GET THRU THIS- Daniel Bedingfield (564,100)

62. MEET ME HALFWAY- Black Eyed Peas (567,948)

61. BAD BOYS- Alexandra Burke Featuring Flo Rida (576,019)

 

 

60.  I KISSED A GIRL- Katy Perry (577,455)

59. f*** IT (I DON’T WANT YOU BACK)- Eamon (578,200)

58. ANYONE OF US (STUPID MISTAKE)- Gareth Gates (579,700)

57. PATIENCE- Take That (580,600)

56. IF I WERE A BOY- Beyonce (582,680)

55. CAN’T FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT- LeAnn Rimes (583,900)

54. ROCKSTAR- Nickelback (587,000)

53. GROOVEJET (IF THIS AIN’T LOVE)- Spiller (590,800)

52. MAD WORLD- Michael Andrews Featuring Gary Jules (591,300)

51. THE KETCHUP SONG (ASEREJE)- Las Ketchup (592,400)

 

50. LOSE YOURSELF- Eminem (598,100)

49. MERCY- Duffy (604,700)

48. CHASING CARS- Snow Patrol (611,400)

47. HIPS DON’T LIE- Shakira Featuring Wyclef Jean (614,700)

46. BOOM BOOM POW- Black Eyed Peas (616,981)

45. RUN- Leona Lewis (617,415)

44. ANGEL- Shaggy Featuring Reyvon (622,100)

43. NEVER HAD A DREAM COME TRUE- S Club 7 (627,500)

42. TEENAGE DIRTBAG- Wheatus (636,400)

41. ROCK DJ- Robbie Williams (639,600)

 

40. SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND- Girls Aloud (642,700)

39. YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL- James Blunt (658,200)

38. WHENEVER WHEREVER- Shakira (660,400)

37. FEELS SO GOOD- Sonique (667,200)

36. IN FOR THE KILL- La Roux (670,390)

35. KILLING IN THE NAME- Rage Against The Machine (664,481)
34. UMBRELLA- Rihanna Featuring Jay Z (676,200)

33. USE SOMEBODY- Kings Of Leon (698,695)

32. A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION (REMIX)- Elvis Vs JXL (700,900)

31. RULE THE WORLD- Take That (709,250)

 

30. THE CLIMB- Joe McElderry (716,358)

29. WHO LET THE DOGS OUT- The Baha Men (718,300)

28. PURE SHORES- All Saints (721,400)

27. FIGHT FOR THIS LOVE- Cheryl Cole (745,738)

26. DON’T STOP MOVIN’- S Club 7 (747,800)

25. WHERE IS THE LOVE- The Black Eyed Peas (748,200)

24. UPTOWN GIRL- Westlife (765,200)

23. DILEMMA- Nelly Featuring Kelly Rowland (766,100)
22. JUST DANCE- Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O’Donis (767,558)

21. STAN- Eminem (772,700)

 

 

20. HEY BABY- DJ Otzi (776,100)

19. HERO- X Factor Finalists (804,700)

18. HERO- Enrique Iglesias (836,500)

17. I GOTTA FEELING- Black Eyed Peas (848,648)

16. A MOMENT LIKE THIS- Leona Lewis (862,000)

15. POKER FACE- Lady Gaga (882,059)

14. SEX ON FIRE- Kings Of Leon (903,070)

13. WHOLE AGAIN- Atomic Kitten (965,200)

12. CRAZY- Gnarles Barkley (972,400)

11. BLEEDING LOVE- Leona Lewis (973,800)

 

 

10. CAN WE FIX IT?- Bob The Builder (1,009,400)

09. PURE AND SIMPLE- Hear’Say (1,081,700)

08. THAT’S MY GOAL- Shayne Ward (1,098,400)

07. CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD- Kylie Minogue (1,104,600)

06. DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS?- Band Aid 20 (1,127,300)

05. HALLELUJAH- Alexander Burke (1,172,495)

04. IT WASN’T ME- Shaggy Featuring Rik “Rok” Ducent (1,204,900)

03. (IS THIS THE WAY TO) AMARILLO?- Tony Christie Featuring Peter Kay (1,207,300)

02. UNCHAINED MELODY- Gareth Gates (1,411,200)

01.  EVERGREEN/ ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE- Will Young (1,791,315)

My thanks as always to all those who commented and liked!

Another great thread, thanks!

Thanks for running this thread @Gezza. I've absolutely loved following along with it.

My Top 50:

197. TOXIC- Britney Spears (355,800)

195. BREAK YOUR HEART- Taio Cruz (360,270)

193. RELEASE ME- Agnes (360,500)

168. DON’T STOP THE MUSIC- Rihanna (381,000)

159. MANEATER- Nelly Furtado (385,700)

151. BRING ME TO LIFE- Evanescence (392,100)

150. SHINE- Take That (393,800)

142. BAD DAY- Daniel Powter (405,900)

137. NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN- Melanie C Featuring Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes (409,600)

130. DISTURBIA- Rihanna (419,700)

127. PUSH THE BUTTON- The Sugababes (423,750)

118. 7 DAYS- Craig David (439,200)

113. PAPARAZZI- Lady Gaga (458,555)

111. OOPS…I DID IT AGAIN- Britney Spears (451,468)

110. BAD ROMANCE- Lady Gaga (458,555)

100. THE PROMISE- Girls Aloud (484,000)

99. THE FEAR- Lily Allen (485,980)

94. FILL ME IN- Craig David (493,400)

87. REACH- S Club 7 (511,700)

81. IF YOU’RE NOT THE ONE- Daniel Bedingfield (521,300)

76. VALERIE- Mark Ronson Featuring Amy Winehouse (532,000)

69. LEAVE RIGHT NOW- Will Young (549,300)

68. TOCA’S MIRACLE- Fragma (549,900)

66. GRACE KELLY- Mika (554,400)

65. BROKEN STRINGS- James Morrison & Nelly Furtado (559,105)

63. GOTTA GET THRU THIS- Daniel Bedingfield (564,100)

57. PATIENCE- Take That (580,600)

56. IF I WERE A BOY- Beyonce (582,680)

55. CAN’T FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT- LeAnn Rimes (583,900)

53. GROOVEJET (IF THIS AIN’T LOVE)- Spiller (590,800)

50. LOSE YOURSELF- Eminem (598,100)

49. MERCY- Duffy (604,700)

47. HIPS DON’T LIE- Shakira Featuring Wyclef Jean (614,700)

45. RUN- Leona Lewis (617,415)

43. NEVER HAD A DREAM COME TRUE- S Club 7 (627,500)

38. WHENEVER WHEREVER- Shakira (660,400)

37. FEELS SO GOOD- Sonique (667,200)
34. UMBRELLA- Rihanna Featuring Jay Z (676,200)

31. RULE THE WORLD- Take That (709,250)

28. PURE SHORES- All Saints (721,400)

27. FIGHT FOR THIS LOVE- Cheryl Cole (745,738)

26. DON’T STOP MOVIN’- S Club 7 (747,800)
22. JUST DANCE- Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O’Donis (767,558)

21. STAN- Eminem (772,700)

15. POKER FACE- Lady Gaga (882,059)

13. WHOLE AGAIN- Atomic Kitten (965,200)

12. CRAZY- Gnarles Barkley (972,400)

11. BLEEDING LOVE- Leona Lewis (973,800)

05. HALLELUJAH- Alexander Burke (1,172,495)

03. (IS THIS THE WAY TO) AMARILLO?- Tony Christie Featuring Peter Kay (1,207,300)

Dear oh dear what a mostly motley finish there. Tony Christie is at least fun, and nice to see the impossibilty of a minor Neil Sedaka comeback song hit become a million seller 30 years late. Shaggy ditto, fun and unexpected hit. The others all a bit dreary for me.

Thank you for this countdown, Gezza!

'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' is my clear favourite from that top 10

Have not been posting in the thread but I was following along for a while and then fell out of the habit of checking this forum as I often do but have been back to see the last few posts at least - I'll try and read back the stuff I missed at some point, much appreciation for the effort that went into all the commentaries and whatnot here as ever anyway!

Would I be right in thinking that only 2 of the top 10 are not charity singles/reality tv show artists?

Kylie and Shaggy.

Plus Bob the builder who is neither