Notice how Basshunter's songs all sound exactly the same?

Basshunter was as basic as they come but I still enjoyed some of the songs. Admittedly preferred both of the follow up singles to 'Now You're Gone' though.

I feel that Chasing Pavements would've made a fantastic #1 though.

13 Rihanna Take A Bow

#2s held off #1: None (a #1 still to come sat at #2 both weeks)

What a beautiful song this is.

Barbadian singer Rihanna had debuted three years earlier with 'Pon De Replay' and I remember thinking at the time that she'd be a flash in the pan artist, maybe scoring another top 40 before disappearing into obscurity. How wrong was I?!

Six top 10's later, including a massive number one in 'Umbrella', Rihanna took things slow with 'Take A Bow'. Co-written/produced by power-duo Stargate, the song alternated at the top with a song yet to be revealed in this countdown. I remember being surprised at the time that this got to number one, especially after another ballad 'Hate That I Love You' had stalled outside the top ten a few months before.

But thankfully people connected with the song. Rihanna's voice sounds silky smooth and the way she draws out emotion in the words is flawless.

Yeah I’d probably place this here too. I ate it up at the time (being a devoted RiRi fan) but it’s pretty uneventful. 🥲 Rihanna’s delivery really sells it though. Disturbia was MUCH better.

To think this was a Rihanna no.1 when she had so many songs that weren’t…

I found this one really boring and I enjoy a good ballad.

I loved Take A Bow at the time, a little less so now.

I still enjoy it but I rarely go back to it.

I liked 'Take A Bow for 2-3 weeks but was already bored of it quickly oops and then began disliking it the more I heard it from there.

On 19/02/2026 at 16:54, T Boy said:

To think this was a Rihanna no.1 when she had so many songs that weren’t…

I found this one really boring and I enjoy a good ballad.

Agreed. I think because it was a brand new song, at that point she'd have gotten #1 with pretty much anything when it's one of the weakest of the era.

Now You're Gone is my favourite of the stuff I haven't commented on, although I have no idea how such a song managed so long at No.1. There was some sort of mega Clubland music revival happening that year I suppose. The original Swedish version Boten Anna is better, not too fond of the vocal they put on the English version.

Take A Bow is a lovely ballad, although a bit forgotten these days in comparison to the rest of the era.

I don't mind 4 Minutes but agree with others' comments, it was a parody of 2006's biggest hits and it felt odd for Madonna to do that.

"Now You're Gone" is a guilty pleasure for me. It might be cheesy, but it always puts a smile on my face. Top 3 candidate pour moi. "Take A Bow" is quite boring, so I agree with the rating.

Sorry I’m behind on this! (Life!)

Will aim to reveal my 12 & 11 today. And please be nice (especially as I think people may disagree with a lot of my choices from here on out

Take your time Herbs. I'm not going to be able to start 2009 until at least the end of this month, more likely in April.

22 hours ago, Herbs said:

Will aim to reveal my 12 & 11 today. And please be nice (especially as I think people may disagree with a lot of my choices from here on out

Aww but being mean is more fun x

lol well I didn’t get round to posting 2 songs yesterday, so feel free to read me for that!

12 Ne-Yo Closer

#2s held off #1: None (a #1 still to come sat at #2, 'No Air' by Jordan Sparks/Chris Brown was at #3)

When checking what sat at #2 for this song, for some reason it surprised me that Ne-Yo actually has five number one singles! This one was his second after 'So Sick' in 2006. His third, fourth and fifth number ones will make an appearance in future countdowns!

This is a great R'n'B pop song.

Amazing vocals, tick.

Slick dance moves, tick.

Catchy chorus, tick.

I also love how Ne-Yo has forged a long term career with a long list of great songs - I'd have put him in the same bracket as someone like Mario/Amerie (i.e. someone who'd have a couple of hits before disappearing). In saying that, it has now been almost 14 years since he last hit the top 10 in the UK.

He has popped up a couple of times in Masked Singer since then. I am a hardcore Natalie Imbruglia fan (once paid over £100 to see her live in London), but even I was surprised to see her beat Ne-Yo (as Badger) in season 2 of the UK version. He'd get the title in the US version a couple of years later though, this time appearing as another animal in 'Cow'

All in all, this is a tuuuuuune

11 Kings of Leon Sex On Fire

#2s held off #1: None (a #1 still to come sat at #2 all 3 weeks)

A reminder that I adore all of the songs left (including this one). I do like the songs in my top 10 just that little bit more!

This was the first/only UK Number one single from the American based rock group. They'd been around for almost 10 years by the time this song came out. Before 'Sex On Fire' was released, they'd had a dedicated following, helping them to achieve multiple top 3 albums and five top 40 singles.

And this was the song that made them huuuuuuuuuuge. If I'm honest, it took my time to really love and appreciate this song. I think I charted it in the top 30 and sadly it didn't climb. But then I went on nights out and heard this song a lor. Cue to numerous times where I'd scream the chorus at the top of my lungs. For me that is where the song truly came alive.

They'd follow it up with another killer track in 'Use Somebody' and have been a staple in the rock world ever since.

And to confirm my top 10 in alphabetical order:

Beyonce - If I Were A Boy

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Duffy - Mercy

Estelle ft Kanye West - American Boy

Girls Aloud - The Promise

Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

Leona Lewis - Run

Pink - So What

Take That - Greatest Day

The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name

Agree with the consensus that “Take A Bow” is dull.

“Closer” is so infectious and I enjoyed its long climb to #1.

“Sex On Fire” is a great song but I did get very sick of it with the huge chart run.

2 stinkers left for me but otherwise a strong Top 10!

I have honestly always found Closer and Ne-Yo quite overrated, I do get the appeal, it just doesn't excite me that much.

I hold a lot of good memories with Sex on Fire, I do get how people cannot stand it, but I have soft spot for it, I didn't like it as much as their other songs at first but it definitely clicked with me a lot. Was a bit of a surprise number 1 at the time for me, I didn't think they were quite at that level yet given they were only scraping the top 20 before, but this one definitely got them a bigger fanbase if just for an album and a bit.

Now You're Gone was a really random number 1, definitely taking advantage of that January lull, but the cheesy europop was quite a fun novelty, it definitely got old after more than one single though.

There's two in the top 10 that are by far my favourites so I'll be hoping they're as high as possible!