Jade

01 Ellie Goulding - Figure 8 (favourite) 02 Avril Lavigne - Losing Grip 03 Pet Shop Boys - Suburbia 04 CHVRCHES - Bury It (feat. Hayley Williams) 05 A-ha - I’ve Been Losing You 06 The Saturdays - Notorious 07 Mary J. Blige - Just Fine 08 Louise - 2 Faced 09 Christina Aguilera - Infatuation 10 Little Mix - Oops (feat. Charlie Puth)

Week 51 + 52: 'Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake)' feels like a bit of a fluke for Gareth so far as everything else has been dull as dishwater. Let's hope he has something a bit more fun up his sleeve next year... S Club Juniors have their moments but that version of 'Puppy Love' is really poor. I probably hear it more than anything else of theirs in the wild as it still gets TV airplay at Christmas time. I mostly remember Calvin looking through a Rachel Stevens calendar in the video, what a 2002 time capsule. The 'Sleigh Ride' cover is passable if not a version I'd choose to seek out. This double A-Side is at least better than the Declan thing you put at the bottom of this rank where kiddy vocals are concerned, no thanks. I also like the original 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word' and it's apparently Lee Ryan's favourite song, so checks out that they covered it, but yeah this cover adds nothing of note. I was too young to remember watching Popstars: The Rivals at the time but from what I gather, it was expected that the boys would triumph? Well, I'm glad the better song ended up winning out, Pete Waterman seems to have lost his touch by this point as both sides of the One True Voice single feel so dated even for 23 years ago. 'Naughty Girl' is fine but I agree that Holly's previous releases were stronger. 'Family Portrait' doesn't quite scale the heights of 'Just Like A Pill' but it's still one of my favourites on the accompanying album! I've been lucky enough to have a stable family life but do still appreciate how hard-hitting the subject matter is. Both this song and 'Sk8er Boi' remind me of watching fan made Sims 2 versions of music videos back in the day with literal retellings of the lyrics as the plot. I guess the storytelling in both is quite easy to visually interpret! Anyway, I was obsessed with 'Sk8er Boi' as kid. It was my gateway to Avril after being included in a P.E. lesson and lead to a purchase of my first studio album, Let Go. The lyrics aren't really anything to write home about but I still have a lot of nostalgic affection for it nevertheless and do genuinely love the towering guitars. A 7 for 'You're A Superstar' seems fair. It doesn't really come to mind when thinking of ultimate 2000s dance highlights or anything but it's feel-good fun while it's on. 'Sound of the Underground' is my favourite from this batch too coronation singles are typically formulaic and uninspiring but this was an exception to the rule, instead a more edgy way to launch a talent show act. Love the Xenomania stamp to the production with the surf guitar sound and even drum & bass elements. It was a pleasure to hear this song, along with many other hits of theirs, live last year for the first time after thinking the chance had totally passed me by. Sarah of course much missed! All caught up yay well done Julian for completing another year - a pleasure to follow as ever.

I lost '505' and 'you should see me in a crown' today! I'm surprised the former didn't make it. I discovered Billie in 2017 but 'you should see me in a crown' the following year was the first song of hers that I properly got into, an intriguing turning point. Enjoying the write-ups and stats so far!

Tate McRae posted this *.* she knows (Sweetener World Tour how I miss you x)

Ari stuns for R.E.M. Beauty:

This has apparently sold 9 million units in the U.S.! That is closer to diamond than I would've expected. *.*

Voted for Lorde! I enjoyed some HAIM album tracks this week like 'Million Years' and 'Spinning' but the focus track wasn't as standout for me

Good to see another big jump for PinkPantheress! Lana / Addison touring effect continues: #34 Addison Rae - Fame is a Gun (+7) #88 Addison Rae - Diet Pepsi (+15) #115 Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (+62) #123 Lana Del Rey - Young And Beautiful (+64) #127 Lana Del Rey - Video Games

Well done John for those 39s! today's game: Round 1: 39 Round 2: 30 (didn't get: Streetband, The Beach Boys) 3-in-10: 3 (Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Blinded by the Light, Pretty Flamingo)

Glad you like it too Suki's first hit in my chart was 'Good Looking' a few years ago but I definitely feel like I'm appreciating her material more consistently nowadays. thank you for commenting

Oh nice to see JADE here! I adore Madonna's original 'Frozen' but appreciate her switch-up on it too

I did vote for 'The Less I Know The Better' but I'm pleased my favourite Tame Impala song from the rate is still to come, fingers crossed it will advance.

Oh what a great week - 'Mr. Tambourine Man' and 'Heart Full Of Soul' are both big favourites of mine

'Unread content' is now working again for me

'Doin' Time' another one to drop out for me today! I wasn't familiar with the original so her version introduced me to the song in general. So excited to see Lana live for the first time next week <3 (as long as she doesn't cancel like last time I was supposed to see her )

Moving to U2 now

Switching to Wyclef and co. now

Switching to Linkin Park now

Week 49 + 50: Quite a sea of averageness in this section as I was listening to the songs from bottom to top of your ranking and didn't really feel much until I got to Darius! My main praise for 'Rushes' is related to the strings too, there's a pleasing burst of them in the chorus. I think part of me always wants to root for him due to his BuzzJack legacy and the way he turned his initial laughing stock image around. I have a soft spot for 'Holding On For You' as well! The longing chorus gives me a really nostalgic pang each time. Ooh boys cheeky girls, ooh girls cheeky boys 🧀 this was an absolute staple of school discos! Maybe a bit questionable in retrospect for a song with "touch my bum" in its title but it was just silly, harmless fun really. Agreed that 'Be With You' is the stronger half of the Atomic Kitten double A-side. That ELO sample was a good choice for them to incorporate. My dad owned the Gotta Get Thru This album on CD so 'If You're Not The One' really takes me back to car journeys as a kid. I feel like this song isn't really my cup of tea on paper yet there's something quite compelling about it. I particularly like the middle 8 and also the falsetto that rounds off the chorus. I listened through Björk's whole studio album discography but missed 'It's In Our Hands' due to it being a Greatest Hits tie-in instead :o sounding great, the production feels so rich and textured - I really like the glitchy elements and strings in particular. 'cause this is myyyy united states of whatever *.* one of several eclectic songs to once hold the shortest top 40 hit record! I have grown to absolutely love 'Feel' now but I used to find it really difficult to process emotionally as a kid. Like you say, the piano playing is really evocative, plus it must have been one of the first songs I ever heard that discussed subjects like mortality and depression so openly. So I think it overwhelmed me for a while. But in time I let it in and think it's one of his finest moments now. Speaking of evocative piano... 'Lose Yourself' would be my favourite here too wonderful instrumental that extends to the rock bassline too and I enjoy his passionate words of wisdom. I can see why it was so successful and critically acclaimed. I've never seen 8 Mile though!

I think my votes went to CHRVCHES, Elton and Lemon Demon. Suddenly having a mind blank but I'm pretty sure that was the trio

Aw 'It Feels So Good' just missing out on the top 10! I had Kisstory on in the garden for a little while today and it came on and sounded glorious in the sun 😍 absolutely love the trance beats, euphoric strings and soaring chorus. Glad it was one of the songs to buck the trend of just one week at #1 in 2000, what a classic. 'Black Coffee' has been a slow burner for me over the years and now I hugely rate it. I'm a sucker for William Orbit ambience but the girls really shine with their harmonies too. Love the impact of the explosive outro after most of the song is so laidback. The Mel C anecdote you shared was a great read! A cracking pair of chart-toppers from her too.

Need to give all the songs a listen but great to see my favourite Ellie Goulding song turning up in this round

Switching to 'G.U.Y.' now!

It was great to have this back today! Hopefully can be there for the full session next week. Top 5 favourites: John Foxx - Underpass Jon And Vangelis - I Hear You Now Michael Jackson - Rock With You New Musik - Living By Numbers The Specials - Too Much Too Young (The Special AKA Live! EP)

Congrats to the joint winners! CHVRCHES had my favourite song of the Golden Wagner round so great to see them getting the support. Thanks to anyone who supported Addison across the competition! Getting into her music, especially 'Headphones On', has brought me a lot of joy :) 💗