Love both of those dropouts. You Won't Forget About Me was in my personal top 10 of that year, I thought it would peak much higher than No.7. I thought Dannii did a really good vocal on top of that instrumental track and it was a great follow on from the Neon Nights era.

Pieces Of Me I loved at the time and thought it would wear on my over time but it really hasn't, I still like it a lot, the chorus sounds like it could be a TV show theme. I still enjoy the parent album a lot too, Ashlee's music was far more my thing than Jessica's.

Should be much higher! What an absolute stormer

13 Jennifer Lopez - Play

avg: 6.98

👑 Pop Royalty: 10 (Doug, leww), 9.5 (Viper*)

❌ Pop Flop: -1 (Scene), 2 (Henessy Lake)

Jenny from the Block has outdone her 16th place in the first Pop Princesses rate, albeit with a lower average this time, as she just pipped Dannii with 6.98.

Lopez avoided a sophomore slump with her J.Lo era when lead single 'Love Don't Cost A Thing' bagged her another top 3 position on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her first U.K. chart topper. This R&B-leaning smash was followed up with the more dance-pop direction of 'Play'. The duo Bag & Arnthor produced this song and also have writing credits, in addition to Cory Rooney and of course, Christina Milian. The latter had not yet started her own career as a recording artist but can be heard singing on the chorus of 'Play'. Her lack of feature credit on this song is its main talking point nowadays if the YouTube comments are anything to go by!

The largely computer generated music video was directed by Francis Lawrence, who has since moved on to directing films, including the Hunger Games series.

'Play' settled for a #18 peak in the U.S. but was J.Lo's fourth top 5 hit in the U.K and second top 3. She debuted at #3 behind Geri Halliwell's 'It's Raining Men' at the top and S Club 7's 'Don't Stop Movin' at #2, back in May 2001.

Doug and leww are happy to play this all night long with their scores of 10. Meanwhile, Scene was ready to turn it off, with J.Lo (and Christina Milian) getting his -1.

One of her best for me, although the whole Christina Milian thing does taint it slightly.

I do enjoy Play but I wouldn’t say it’s one of my fave JLo singles, so #13 seems about right for me personally!

Always enjoyed 'Play' personally so a decent showing for it all things considered.

1 hour ago, Jessie Where said:

One of her best for me, although the whole Christina Milian thing does taint it slightly.

That’s how I feel I’d always loved it, but now less so. It feels that but tainted and I can’t really go back to it much.

Play as a song is pretty harmless tbf but I just can’t abide J.Lo as a person.

Play is definitely one of her best

I never considered 'Play' to be my favourite JLo single but it's a nice bop to hear every now and then. I'm definitely more into 'Jenny From The Block'.

Waiting for Tonight, I’m Glad, Que Hiciste probs my top 3. But Play possibly top 5!

It's ok, the intro is the best thing about it for me. Not a favourite of mine from J.Lo and Dannii and Ashlee are much stronger for me.

1 hour ago, Lukuzz said:

Play is definitely one of her best

Very much agreed. It reminds me of being driven to school as it seemed to be played a LOT on the Sarah Cox Breakfast Show!

love the video clip to YWFAM!! Dannii fans still had high hopes after this release but sadly quality seriously dipped!

Play is a tune trixie mattel released a remix this year it is very good!

I like Danni's vocals on that song, but I am not the biggest fan of the instrumental.

"Play" is a nice BOP from JLO - for me in the top 10 of this comp.

12 Ashanti - Only U

avg: 7.02

👑 Pop Royalty: 10 (Doug, leww), 9 (..ready for it, vibe)

❌ Pop Flop: 2 (Henessy Lake), 3 (Paddington James)

Ashanti leads the way with the first 7+ average of the rate as 'Only U' finished with a score of 7.02.

American singer Ashanti avoided the sophomore slump and went on to release third album Concrete Rose in 2004. 'Only U' was chosen as the lead single for this campaign. It was written by Ashanti, Seven Aurelius and Irv Gotti, plus was produced by the latter two. Aurelius plays the prominent guitar riff throughout the song. Gotti, who passed away just last year, was responsible for discovering some huge names in hip-hop and R&B, such as Jay-Z and DMX, plus of course Ashanti herself and frequent collaborator Ja Rule. 'Only U' begins with a sample of 'Why You Treat Me So Bad' by Club Nouveau. This much sampled track is also well-known for being used on hip-hop classic 'I Got 5 On It' by Luniz. Overall, Ashanti was still in her R&B lane, but 'Only U' also had a darker, rock edge to it as well.

'Only U' charted at a respectable #13 in the U.S. but saw particular success here in the U.K. when it reached #2, becoming her biggest entirely solo hit. She also appeared on the aforementioned Ja Rule's #1 record 'Wonderful' as a featured artist and would later reach #2 again, after being credited on Aitch's 2022 hit 'Baby', which sampled her song 'Rock wit U (Awww Baby)'. Ashanti fell foul of Elvis' 2005 reissues so 'Only U' was blocked from #1 here by the re-release of Presley's 'It's Now Or Never'.

The likes of Doug and leww stuck by Ashanti and awarded her 10s. Meanwhile, Henessy Lake was happy to let this one go, giving 'Only U' just 2.

Finally at above 7.00 average!

Love the Club Nouveau bassline to “Only U”, but I’m not sure the rest of the song is as good as it could be.

“Play” is a decent and well produced track though I got very bored of it at the time.

Quite like the strings on “You Won’t Forget About Me” but can’t really get into it otherwise.

21 hours ago, Scene said:

Play as a song is pretty harmless tbf but I just can’t abide J.Lo as a person.

Really like the song, but the only reason why I couldn't give it a 10 is due to her as a person, so I totally agree with this.

2 hours ago, Jade said:

12 Ashanti - Only U

I don't know what it is with her and her music, but just all of it just has such little impact on me.

Like, I find none of it to be absolutely terrible but none of it stands out or is memorable either, it just kind of... exists.

Meh.