15 Madonna ft Justin Timberlake 4 Minutes

#2s held off #1: Sam Sparro - Black & Gold, Wiley - Wearing My Rolex

Next up is the Queen of reinvention, Madonna. I can't believe this is actually the last of her 13 number one singles in the UK!

Two years before, Madonna had released her critically acclaimed dance record 'Confessions on a Dancefloor', which featured number one singles 'Hung Up' and 'Sorry'. But sticking to her usual tactic of a reinvention for every era, she returned in 2008 with a electronic/hip-hop/funk/RnB fusion in 'Hard Candy'. This was the lead single from the album, produced by man of the moment Timbaland and featuring a singer of the moment in Justin Timberlake. It was a combination that pretty much guaranteed the song a number one position, a position it held for 4 weeks.

At the time I remember thinking this song was good, but not on the same level as peak Madonna. I also preferred the first song it stopped from getting to number one - 'Black & Gold' by Sam Sparro. Still, it got Madonna back into the limelight and continued to show her as a force to be reckoned with - especially in a music industry that isn't always kind to older female artists.

Edited February 13Feb 13 by Herbs

I do enjoy it, but it's basically 'Give It To Me' replacing Nelly Furtado with Madonna. Also it's the point she went from being ahead of trends, to following ones that happened two years previously.

Its parent album is easily the worst of her entire career, I still can't believe she followed Confessions with that.

1 hour ago, Jessie Where said:

I do enjoy it, but it's basically 'Give It To Me' replacing Nelly Furtado with Madonna. Also it's the point she went from being ahead of trends, to following ones that happened two years previously.

Its parent album is easily the worst of her entire career, I still can't believe she followed Confessions with that.

Basically my thoughts too. She was very behind the curve with that album and I think its no coincidence her hit-making days were over after that release (casually ignoring Celebration ).

I think the Timbaland choice would’ve been forgivable if the song was something amazing and fresh but it falls flat on all accounts for me. Zero appeal whatsoever. Black & Gold would have made a far better #1.

I wonder was '4 minutes' influenced by Kelly Rowland - Work (Freemasons remix) with the trumpets/brass in the chorus.

Good song anyway! Although I preferred Give 2 To Me at the time.

Sam Sparro would have made a better #1 such an insanely good dance-pop song.

Edited February 10Feb 10 by TheSnake

That Dizzee Rascal song is great and probably higher for me. "4 Minutes" is OK, but I agree with this ranking.

I just checked Spotify, and found all #1's except one. It is strange that "Hero" is not available there.

'Dance Wiv Me' is tune.

'4 Minutes' I liked then but not as mad on nowadays and don't seek out either.

4 Minutes is fun enough but it did feel like the turning point where Madonna began following the trends rather than setting them.

From here on out are all songs that I really enjoy.

If you don't like the order they appear in, tough!!!!

14 Basshunter Now You're Gone

#2s held off #1: Britney Spears - Piece of Me, Adele - Chasing Pavements (x3), Nickleback - Rockstar

Next up is a massive 5 week number one from Swedish musician Jonas Erik Altberg, aka Basshunter. The song originally started as an instrumental titled 'Boten Anna'. Vocals were then added from Sebastian Westwood and 'Now You're Gone' was born.

It's a great piece of dance music, one that took over the early part of 2008. I immediately liked the song (catchy dance/pop number, what's not to like), although I have to admit I grew to just like it after a few listens. Looking back at this song reminded me of the big names it held off the top. Britney Spears, Adele & Nickleback. The latter could feel hard done by considering it climbed above Basshunter when 'Now You're Gone' eventually fell off the top spot.

Basshunter would go on to have a UK number one album and a follow up #2 hit in 'All I Ever Wanted'. Further releases would 5 more top 40 hits and 1 more top 20 album.

Edited February 13Feb 13 by Herbs

This was the definition of Eurotrash for me. 🫢 It got boring FAST!! So not mad it finishes this low. I would've loved all of those #2s to get a week at the top over it tbh - yes even Nickelback.

I loved '4 Minutes' at the time but it's slipped down my affections over the years. Which is surprising as a lot of Timbaland productions are evergreen. I agree with the assessment that Madonna was starting to follow trends instead of leading the way now though. Still, I'd probably have it a bit higher, including above Basshunter.

I have good memories associated with 'Now You're Gone', as it was one of the last current releases I can recall at the school disco - unsurprisingly all of that energy made a room full of primary kids go quite hyper. But not something I'd go out of my way to listen to.

I wonder whatever happened to that Adele x

I was already at uni by this point but I could never get Basshunter being a five week no.1. It’s catchy but it’s not that good. It reminds me of eating takeaways in Halls 😂

I like some trashy Eurodance stuff, but Basshunter was too much even for me. The follow-up was even worse.

On 10/02/2026 at 23:46, Herbs said:

15 Madonna ft Justin Timberlake 4 Minutes

#2s held off #1: Sam Sparro - Black & Gold, Wiley - Wearing My Rolex

Next up is the Queen of reinvention, Madonna. I can't believe this is actually the last of her 13 number one singles in the UK!

Two years before, Madonna had released her critically acclaimed dance record 'Confessions on a Dancefloor', which featured number one singles 'Hung Up' and 'Sorry'. But sticking to her usual tactic of a reinvention for every era, she returned in 2008 with a electronic/hip-hop/funk/RnB fusion in 'Hard Candy'. This was the lead single from the album, produced by man of the moment Timbaland and featuring a singer of the moment in Justin Timberlake. It was a combination that pretty much guaranteed the song a number one position, a position it held for 4 weeks.

At the time I remember thinking this song was good, but not on the same level as peak Madonna. I also preferred the first song it stopped from getting to number one - 'Black & Gold' by Sam Sparro. Still, it got Madonna back into the limelight and continued to show her as a force to be reckoned with - especially in a music industry that isn't always kind to older female artists.

I liked 4 Minutes at the time, I must've I mean I downloaded it. 😂

Now though, I really struggle to listen to it in full and it's not one of my go to Madonna songs.

I do agree with everyone else's posts about this being the turning point for her musically.

10 hours ago, Herbs said:

14 Basshunter Now You're Gone

#2s held off #1: Britney Spears - Piece of Me, Adele - Chasing Pavements (x3), Nickleback - Rockstar

Next up is a massive 5 week number one from Swedish musician Jonas Erik Altberg, aka Basshunter. The song originally started as an instrumental titled 'Boten Anna'. Vocals were then added from Sebastian Westwood and 'Now You're Gone' was born.

It's a great piece of dance music, one that took over the early part of 2008. I immediately liked the song (catchy dance/pop number, what's not to like), although I have to admit I grew to just like it after a few listens. Looking back at this song reminded me of the big names it held off the top. Britney Spears, Adele & Nickleback. The latter could feel hard done by considering it climbed above Basshunter when 'Now You're Gone' eventually fell off the top spot.

Basshunter would go on to have a UK number one album and a follow up #2 hit in 'All I Ever Wanted'. Further releases would 5 more top 40 hits and 1 more top 20 album.

I was never a fan of this song and was quite happy when it only got to #78 or something like that in Australia.

Happy to see that the song that replaced this at #1 is still to come.

Agree with the comments regarding “4 Minutes” - it’s pretty good but think the placing is fair. I’ve never really liked anything by Basshunter: slightly trashy dance music. “Now You’re Gone” is OK but I’d put it below the previous 3.

Basshunter is so basic and I’ve always despised it.

I grew to like 4 Minutes but it’s definite one of Madonna’s weaker chart toppers. I was very surprised it made it at the time.

Honestly 'Now You're Gone' never gets old for me, one of the best examples of big hit Eurodance, maybe a couple of years too late to the curve but a great dancefloor song.

(might have even put it #1, at least top 3)

Going to stand up for '4 Minutes' here, I still think it's one of her best songs!