ThePensmith

Some undeniable classics on this week's episodes - namely Mel C and Left Eye, Moloko, Destiny's Child and also Santana (although I didn't appreciate those two random session singers standing in for Rob Thomas, who made it sound like a Strictly Come Dancing version of the song before that was even a thing). Westlife were incredibly lucky to get that fifth number one. I remember them on CD:UK the Saturday before it charted and they all looked panic stricken at potentially missing out. That said, "Fool Again" is one of their better chart toppers, although I do wish Sony would throw the 2000 Mix on streaming already. I had hoped they finally would with the recent 25 Ultimate Collection release, alas they didn't. Poor B*Witched going out with a whimper a year on after their own record breaking shenanigans. Sony really didn't have a clue what they were doing with them by this point throwing them in the direction of the FHM market and hoping that would work. I hope some day the third album they recorded before they were dropped will see the light of day.

Certain tabloids are full of "a source says" stories today claiming that ITV are on the verge of bringing it back next year. Honestly? It had its place and time, and there are so many elements not in its favour that it just wouldn't work now.

Queen, icon and legend, and for all the right reasons. Incomparable and irreplaceable. Rest in eternal power Dolly ❤️

New video on Instagram showing a closer look at the vinyl version of the EP: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DceEpO1t1nt Shame it doesn't appear there's any in-stores or anything lined up for this on release week, I thought there would be at least one. Still I am seeing them on Friday cause they're supporting JLS so that will be consolation at least.

Just my take here: there's only one of the Girls Aloud albums that are awaiting a vinyl reissue now which will more than likely be next year ("Out of Control"). I wouldn't mind betting tour or no tour that Fascination will probably turn their attention to some form of vinyl pressing for the Saturdays next, especially as it's their 20th anniversary in 2028.

By the way... I had a quick look on the BBC page today. I suspect we're about to have a few more episodes skipped over as after the reshowing of 31st March episode on Friday 28th August, it then jumps forward to 28th April: Looking at the list of Top 40 broadcasts on Radio 1 from this year, I suspect this is because S**** M**** was filling in for Mark Goodier on those weeks, and thus doing the top 20 rundown on the episodes from those weeks in between. I dare say they'll probably turn up on YouTube as the other 1999 ones did but something to bear in mind.

I was about to say it's common knowledge that Five all hate "Don't Wanna Let You Go" 🤣 Can't say I blame them really, it was never one of my favourite singles of theirs either. I feel like that slot as a single should have gone to either "Battlestar" or "Two Sides To Every Story" from the Invincible album.

Oh definitely. But full credit to Parlophone, they had such a strong campaign for that single and album era, and I've seen Kylie in particular allude to the fact she had to work it very hard in the UK and Europe. But it paid off in the end!

Really in-depth chat with Natalie on Davina McCall's podcast Begin Again that went up today:

A quick sconce at Music Week archives confirms they didn't snub "Spinning Around" - it was on their B list the week it went to number one: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2000/Music-Week-2000-07-01.pdf

Big Hits 2003 is on at 8:30pm this Saturday, followed by The Story of 2003 straight after at 9:30pm on BBC Two (although the latter is already on iPlayer).

This is where Chris Cowey's approach of repeating the same God damn songs for weeks on end, even as they were going down the chart, was to the detriment of the show long-term, especially on weeks like this that were bountiful with new entries. Madasun "Don't You Worry" was one such casualty of his booking policy. One of the better songs launched by one of the better new girl groups in 2000 (and there'll be a lot of them to come). Honeyz - "Won't Take It Lying Down". What an absolute banger that was. The performance was absolutely unhinged though on account of Naima grinning away like H from Steps through what it is supposed to be a sassy and edgy put down to a cheating boyfriend type song whilst wearing a Gimp mask before the watershed on BBC One. Camp of the highest order. I'd have loved to have been in on the wardrobe fitting for that performance 🤣 On a slightly sadder note, timely that not one but two William Orbit produced singles were on this episode. I actually do still quite like "American Pie", it's much better than it is generally given credit for and the production on Madonna's version is gorgeous.

I mean the alternative versions do nothing else if highlight just why Brian Higgins' approach to making pop music worked. Even if it was exhausting for the girls in practice 🤣

Good question. I am actually going to put a vote in here for allSTARS* - "The Land Of Make Believe". I feel like it was one of those songs where it wasn't so sacred it couldn't deign to be covered at all. And actually they did a really good job of bringing it into 2002 I thought.

I have seen talk of said "documentary" on certain national gossip columns today. Given how fiercely private Chezza is these days, I would believe it only when it's happening.