Gezza

20. HEY BABY- DJ Otzi (776,100) YEAR: 2001 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 29 Our flirtation with DJ Otzi was relatively brief compared to mainland Europe so let’s be thankful for that! His version of the 1962 Bruce Channel #2 hit conquered most of Europe through 2000 and 2001 and following those summer holidays in 01 it was heard by million of brits which seemed to wet appetites for a UK release. It was subject to a chart anomaly when it charted on import at No 45 then rose to No 1 on official UK release due to the catalogue number being identical, it therefore scored the highest climber to No 1 at the time, albeit on a technicality. Apparently sales were initially driven by Northern Ireland and northern England, and it was also subject to a phenomenon which became much more popular later in decade- the dreaded cover! A rip off version by 2 Amigo’s hit No 90 in the week DJ Otzi released his version. It was also made into an equally annoying world cup version a year later which no-one needed.

She certainly won in terms of promo as I recall her being everywhere for the few weeks leading up to the release as I suspect they thought that the name alone plus the natural interest in a first solo single would be enough.

Recap 50-21 50. LOSE YOURSELF- Eminem (598,100) 49. MERCY- Duffy (604,700) 48. CHASING CARS- Snow Patrol (611,400) 47. HIPS DON’T LIE- Shakira Featuring Wyclef Jean (614,700) 46. BOOM BOOM POW- Black Eyed Peas (616,981) 45. RUN- Leona Lewis (617,415) 44. ANGEL- Shaggy Featuring Reyvon (622,100) 43. NEVER HAD A DREAM COME TRUE- S Club 7 (627,500) 42. TEENAGE DIRTBAG- Wheatus (636,400) 41. ROCK DJ- Robbie Williams (639,600) 40. SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND- Girls Aloud (642,700) 39. YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL- James Blunt (658,200) 38. WHENEVER WHEREVER- Shakira (660,400) 37. FEELS SO GOOD- Sonique (667,200) 36. IN FOR THE KILL- La Roux (670,390) 35. KILLING IN THE NAME- Rage Against The Machine (664,481) 34. UMBRELLA- Rihanna Featuring Jay Z (676,200) 33. USE SOMEBODY- Kings Of Leon (698,695) 32. A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION (REMIX)- Elvis Vs JXL (700,900) 31. RULE THE WORLD- Take That (709,250) 30. THE CLIMB- Joe McElderry (716,358) 29. WHO LET THE DOGS OUT- The Baha Men (718,300) 28. PURE SHORES- All Saints (721,400) 27. FIGHT FOR THIS LOVE- Cheryl Cole (745,738) 26. DON’T STOP MOVIN’- S Club 7 (747,800) 25. WHERE IS THE LOVE- The Black Eyed Peas (748,200) 24. UPTOWN GIRL- Westlife (765,200) 23. DILEMMA- Nelly Featuring Kelly Rowland (766,100) 22. JUST DANCE- Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O’Donis (767,558) 21. STAN- Eminem (772,700)

21. STAN- Eminem (772,700) YEAR: 2000 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 17 The song that brought us Dido (though uncredited again), it invented the term to “Stan” for something and was also his biggest seller of the decade. Eminem naturally courted controversy with the promo which got several edits from MTV before being shown, it only added to the promotion for the track which sold almost 200k in week one to enter at the top ahead of Bob The Builder by around 10k before yielding to the eventual festive No 1 the following week but it stayed high in the charts through the festive season which helps it here.

22. JUST DANCE- Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O’Donis (767,558) YEAR: 2009 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 39 Back to where it started for Lady Gaga, and a song which was offered to the Pussycat Dolls initially as the record company seemed not to have faith in the singer as a popstar. It was turned down thankfully as it became her first single instead, O’Donis was not the intended featured act, that was Akon who co-wrote the track with Lady Gaga, but Interscope refused to let him appear so his part was handed to Akon’s protégé instead.

23. DILEMMA- Nelly Featuring Kelly Rowland (766,100) YEAR: 2002 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 21 Beating bandmate Beyonce to No 1, Rowland teamed up with Nelly in 2002 to give us this massive hit based around a sample of “Love, Need, and Want You” by Patti Labelle (Labelle appears in the promo as Rowland’s mother in a nod to the sample). A US Chart topper for 10 weeks it turned into a long stayer here with 9 weeks in the top 10 (unusual in 2002) and outsold everything Beyonce did in the decade.

22ND MAY Now and again the charts become a talking point outside of the avid chart follower and this was undoubtedly one of those weeks occasioned by the release of the first Geri Halliwell solo single which came with a much scrutinised video and a documentary and umpteen interviews and TV slots. It was up against Boyzone who were seeking a sixth No 1 and are the biggest boyband in land, and all of that meant an almost daily update in the papers about who was going to get the top slot which is normally only reserved for the Christmas chart. With Boyzone only ever ahead by a few thousand there was fevered anticipation for the chart on Sunday and it resulted in Boyzone grabbing that 6th No 1. It marks the third successive boyband single to make No 1 (a record) and sold an impressive 142,901 to outstrip Halliwell by just 748 copies- an incredibly close race! “You Needed Me” is a cover of the Ann Murray 1978 #22 track and came in a 2cd set with different additional tracks which probably inspired fans to buy both to complete the set- in that sense it could be argued that Halliwell’s single was purchased by “more” people as both CD’s had the same tracks on (one came with postcards). However they sit atop the charts this week, a 15th top 5 single from as many releases, it extends their record start unparalleled in history and now gives more top 5 hits in the decade than any other act and pulls them level in terms of top 10 singles with Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey, only Madonna is ahead of them. Onto the loser then and Geri Halliwell was always the Spice Girl with the most astute eye for a marketing ploy and “Look At Me” couldn’t have been more promoted or hyped. Naturally interest fitted around the promo which saw Halliwell “bury” the figure of Ginger Spice and a spot of nudity at the end, all of which led to a sale of 142,153, enough for a No 1 in any of the last four weeks. It’s been 6 months since Shania Twain released her last single “From This Moment On” but don’t think she’s moved on from the album “Come On Over” as we now we get a fourth single “That Don’t Impress Me Much”. The song comes in two mixes, the original album version which is considerably more country orientated and the “dance mix” which aimed more at commercial radio and is the version you’re more likely to hear being played, careful which CD you buy though! It becomes her biggest UK hit to date landing at No 3 (109,000) with an impressive 6 figure tally and has helped the parent album “Come On Over” back into the top 30 though it has never made it higher than the No 15 peak it achieved in March 98 on release. The top 3 are the only new entries in the top flight this week, last week’s No 1 from Backstreet Boys falls 1-4 (72,000) and finally TLC appear to have peaked at retail with “No Scrubs” holding at No 5 (51,000). Former chart topper “Swear It Again” from Westlife dips 2-6 (44,000) and Phats & Small are back up 8-7 (36,000), they have so far moved 3-4-2-8-7-8-7 but this is the first week sales are actually up (albeit by 3%) on its way to just shy of 400,000 copies sold. Stereophonics fall 4-8 (34,000), 911 tumble 3-9 (33,000) and Bryan Adams dips 6-10 (31,000). 1- YOU NEEDED ME- Boyzone (142,901) 2- LOOK AT ME- Geri Halliwell (142,153) 3- THAT DON’T IMPRESS ME MUCH- Shania Twain (109,000) 4- I WANT IT THAT WAY- Backstreet Boys (72,000) 5- NO SCRUBS- TLC (51,000) 6- SWEAR IT AGAIN- Westlife (44,000) 7- TURN AROUND- Phats & Small (36,000) 8- PICK A PART THAT’S NEW- Stereophonics (34,000) 9- PRIVATE NUMBER- 911 (33,000) 10- CLOUD NO 9- Bryan Adams (31,000)

15TH MAY If there’s ever going to be a “high watermark” for Boyband’s then this could be the week for it! The entire top 3 are made up of them but it's no victory for for Westlife who drop 1-2 (59,000), instead their US counterparts Backstreet Boys take the crown. After three #3’s and two #2’s they finally have a No 1 in “I Want It That Way” after selling 93,000 copies to do so, it is the first single from their forthcoming third album and in making the top ends a 9 year wait for a US boyband to top our charts (New Kids On The Block were the last). You only need to wait a fortnight for the album “Millennium”- you lucky things. And at No 3? Well that’s the new 911 single and follow up to their first chart topper “A Little Bit More” and it’s another cover! Judy Clay and William Bell performed the original “Private Number” back in 1968 when it peaked at No 8 but it now becomes a bigger single for the boyband after shifting 57,000 copies last week. Female assistance comes from Natalie Jordan on the European releases anyway, the boys have gone with Singapore born actress Fann Wong for the Asian release of the single, either way it is their 10th straight top ten single in a sequence which dates back to 1996. Having a great 1999 thus far, Stereophonics are back with another smash in “Pick A Part That’s New” which sees the boys sending up the pic “The Italian Job” in the promo. Their album “Performance & Cocktails” has done over 300,000 since it was released 9 weeks ago and is currently the best selling album released in 1999 in the UK which didn’t prevent 56,000 people investing in the new single this week almost nabbing No 3 at the death. Bryan Adams continues to surprise us with his current “On A Day Like Today” release schedule, we first got an acoustic ballad, then the rock-lite “When You’re Gone” and now a dance overhaul of “Cloud Number 9” courtesy of remixers Chicane. They’re hitmakers in their own right of course (“Offshore” is their biggest hit making No 14 in 1996) but now helm this track to No 6 (49,000) to give Adams his 10th top ten hit. The album lifts back into the top 40 but those buying it for the current single will be disappointed as it contains only the original mix of the song which is substantially different to the Chicane remix. TLC increase sales again to 54,000 but drop back 3-5 in light of the male invasion above them, The Offspring relent 2-7 (45,000) whilst Phats & Small boomerang back down 7-8 (35,000). Fatboy Slim is off 4-9 (33,000) and Basement Jaxx fall 6-10 (32,000). This week sees the first solo Geri Halliwell single go head to head with Boyzone- who’ll come out on top? 1- I WANT IT THAT WAY- Backstreet Boys (93,000) 2- SWEAR IT AGAIN- Westlife (59,000) 3- PRIVATE NUMBER- 911 (57,000) 4- PICK A PART THAT’S NEW- Stereophonics (56,000) 5- NO SCRUBS- TLC (54,000) 6- CLOUD NO 9- Bryan Adams (49,000) 7- WHY DON’T YOU GET A JOB- Offspring (45,000) 8- TURN AROUND- Phats & Small (35,000) 9- RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW- Fatboy Slim (33,000) 10- RED ALERT- Basement Jaxx. (32,000)

Some other 1992 stats for you: The First year since 1971 not to contain a single 1 week chart topper Format breakdown for the year 7"- 24.43%, 12"- 18.65%, Cassingle- 25.98%, CD- 30.93% marking the first year that CD's were the biggest selling single format For the third year in a row the best selling single was a ballad from a popular movie

24. UPTOWN GIRL- Westlife (765,200) YEAR: 2001 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 16 Billy Joel’s ode to his model (soon to be wife) Christie Brinkley had of course already been a massive No 1 in the 80s selling 828k- a proven hit. Westlife chose it as a cover for Comic Relief 18 years later and it easily became their 8th chart topper from 9 releases on a healthy sale of 292k ending up by far their biggest seller by the end of the decade. They even recreated the promo getting model Claudia Schiffer in to provide the model interest.

25. WHERE IS THE LOVE- The Black Eyed Peas (748,200) YEAR: 2003 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 19 Knocking around for a good few years and not doing much, it took this track and the appearance of Justin Timberlake on backing vocals to propel them to No 1. Timberlake remained uncredited (his label apparently concerned that it would be overkill for the singer given his great 2003 already) but it took off in a major way spending 6 weeks at the top (the longest since Cher in 1998) and becoming the best selling single of 2003.

26. DON’T STOP MOVIN’- S Club 7 (747,800) YEAR: 2001 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 19 Their third No 1 and 7th straight top 3 single, this proved to be their biggest hit pre-downloading and of course had two separate stints at No 1 either side of Geri Halliwell’s “It’s Raining Men”, the first song to turn that trick in 3 years. Popular in the clubs at the time with a mash up with “Billie Jean”, it picked up best British single at the BRITS in 2002.

So that concludes 1992- thanks as always to those who commented throughout the year! I have to say that 1992 is probably my least favourite year of the decade- it has it's moments as all years do, but overall it's pretty bad in my opinion

9TH JANUARY 1992 concludes with a sixth week at the top for Whitney, the last female act to do that was Olivia Newton John in 1978 or if you want to be a purist and look for a solo female credit then you’d have to go back 22 years to 1970 when Freda Payne spent 6 weeks there with “Band Of Gold”. Whitney does it in style despite a sales slump of 54% to 82,620 in the post Christmas slump as if finishes the year on 960,015 with the million mark in sight this week. Again Michael Jackson’s “Heal The World” played best man, it’s been No 2 for 5 weeks now the longest stint Right Said Fred last year, he too lost 57% of his sales week on week to slump to 30,300 but he sneaks into the YE chart at No 9. Good news for Take That fans, their version of “Could It Be Magic” pushes 4-3 (27,555) as the album “Take That & Party” also reaches a new peak scurrying 9-3 itself. Snap! take full advantage of the quiet release schedule to issue the follow up to their massive “Rhythm Is A Dancer” which ends 1992 as the second best seller. “Exterminate” features on their recent album “The Madman Returns” in instrumental form but for the single version it contains vocals by Madonna’s backing singer Niki Harris. The album will get a re-launch next month with this version contained within it, probably for the best as the album only made No 20 on its original run disappearing after 8 weeks on the survey and selling under 100,000 copies. The single debuts at No 7 (11,265)- their 7th top 10 hit but their first since Turbo B and Thea Austin left the group after Rhythm and will be hoping to gain some revenge on Whitney for beating them to the top of the 1992 best sellers. Surging 29-16 this week on the album charts is the debut album by Arrested Development which now contains two top 10 hits as “Mr Wendal/ Revolution” enters at No 8 (10,965). Highlighting the issue of homelessness “Mr Wendal” samples another Sly & The Family Stone track this time “Sing A Simple Song”, whilst “Revolution” was written for the soundtrack of the new Spike Lee film “Malcolm X” out here in spring. Charles & Eddie drop 3-4 (18,660) as it charges over the 500,000 mark, The Shamen rebound 6-5 (18,540) which costs the WWF superstars a slot 5-6 (12,555). The Prodigy are back 12-9 (10,965) with “Out Of Space/ Ruff In The Jungle Bizness” and Gloria Estefan drops 9- 10 (10,320) to round off 1992 but the bottom 4 tracks are all new lows saleswise since 1980 with the possibility of a sub 10,000 sale enough to make the top 10- let's see next week! 1- I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU- Whitney Houston (82,620) 2- HEAL THE WORLD- Michael Jackson (30,300) 3- COULD IT BE MAGIC- Take That (27,555) 4- WOULD I LIE TO YOU- Charles & Eddie (18,660) 5- PHOREVER PEOPLE- The Shamen (18,540) 6- SLAM JAM- WWF Superstars (12,555) 7- EXTERMINATE- Snap! Featuring Niki Harris (11,265) 8- MR WENDAL/ REVOLUTION- Arrested Development (10,965) 9- OUT OF SPACE/ RUFF IN THE JUNGLE BIZNESS- The Prodigy (10,650) 10- MIAMI HIT MIX/ CHRISTMAS THROUGH YOUR EYES- Gloria Estefan (10,320)

They went rapidly downhill but I agree with you on the debut! Blinder of an album.

27. FIGHT FOR THIS LOVE- Cheryl Cole (745,738) YEAR: 2009 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 11 Released at a time when Cole was officially “the nation’s sweetheart” and could do little wrong with a judging spot on “X Factor” and a regular in the tabloids. The track got it’s first performance on the show’s Sunday night results programme giving it the best possible publicity from the off- it didn’t disappoint with 292k sold in week 1 outstripping anything Girls Aloud did in a week.

28. PURE SHORES- All Saints (721,400) YEAR: 2000 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 16 Recorded for the film soundtrack to “The Beach”, this was All Saint’s 4th chart topper and saw them working with the producer of the moment William Orbit. The producer of the film Danny Boyle was apparently reticent to put the band on the soundtrack and was only convinced once he knew that Orbit was producing it but it all worked out and sales of 199k in week 1 illustrated that we were glad it did.

29. WHO LET THE DOGS OUT- The Baha Men (718,300) YEAR: 2000 PEAK POSITION: 2 WKS ON CHART: 23 So here it is then, the biggest selling song of the decade not to top the chart, and who can forget the 13-14-2 chart run it had to surprise all of us chart watchers. That was put down to a TOTP airing but in truth it owed a lot of debt to a generally flat week and even that rise to No 2 was accompanied by a sale of just 24k- the lowest tally in 8 years. The song itself dated back to 1998 when the writer Anslem Douglas released it and it found its way to the ears of the Jonathan King who did his own version which in turn was played to King’s friend Steve Greenberg who was working with the Baha Men and asked them to record it as well. It was this version that was championed by Radio 1’s John Peel and though it didn’t pick up general radio support it was popular on “The Box”.

1992 was a 53 week chart year so 1 more chart to go!

2ND JANUARY Whitney spends a fifth week at No 1 as “The Bodyguard” finally moves to No 1 on the compilation charts and the film opens in cinema’s. Houston sold another 180,795 with the Christmas wind behind her, she’s nearing the million mark quickly (currently 877,395) the last single by a woman to do that was Jennifer Rush. Incidentially it shares another similarity with "The Power Of Love" as the Whitney track has now sold over 100,000 for five weeks consecutively, the first song since Jennifer Rush to pull that trick! Again Whitney’s victory was at the expense of Michael Jackson, his “Heal The World” remains at No 2 for a fourth week though its sales are off slightly at 70,260 he smashes through the 300,000 mark and almost passes “Black Or White” as the most successful single so far from “Dangerous”. Again the top 3 is completed by Charles & Eddie who sold another 35,475 of “Would I Lie To You” and is just shy of half a million and is now the third best seller of the year. Minor movement outside of the big 3 sees Take That hold at No 4 (33,855), WWF Superstars boomerang 6-5 (25,515) as the Shamen drop 5-6 (25,365) and Boney M hold at No 7 (22,800). Rod’s up a spot 9-8 (16,500) swapping places with Gloria Estefan 8-9 (16,065). “The Bodyguard” has now also produced a second top ten hit in Lisa Stansfield’s “Somebody (I’m Coming Back)” as it crawls 11-10 (14,505). It is Lisa’s 4th top 10 in three years but three of those (if this goes no further) have all made No 10 with only “All Around The World” the odd one out as it went all the way to No 1. 1- I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU- Whitney Houston (180,795) 2- HEAL THE WORLD- Michael Jackson (70,260) 3- WOULD I LIE TO YOU- Charles & Eddie (35,475) 4- COULD IT BE MAGIC- Take That (33,855) 5- SLAM JAM- WWF Superstars (25,515) 6- PHOREVER PEOPLE- The Shamen (25,365) 7- BONEY M MEGAMIX- Boney M (22,800) 8- TOM TRUBERT’S BLUES (WATZING MATILDA)- Rod Stewart (16,500) 9- MIAMI HIT MIX / CHRISTMAS THROUGH YOUR EYES- Gloria Estefan (16,065) 10- SOMEDAY (I’M COMING BACK)- Lisa Stansfield (14,505)

30. THE CLIMB- Joe McElderry (716,358) YEAR: 2009 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 3 We’ve already had the circumstances under which they became just the second “X Factor” winners single not to enter at No 1 (No 35) but McElderry got his week at the top the following week and ultimately sold more before the decade ended. The Original version of the track by Miley Cyrus had reached No 11 only 7 months prior to this cover and you have to feel slightly sorry for McElderry who did nothing wrong himself and sold more than any other track did to only make No 2.

31. RULE THE WORLD- Take That (709,250) YEAR: 2007 PEAK POSITION: 2 WKS ON CHART: 72 Opening with a sale of 97k in its first week of full release was, to that point, the third highest weekly sales tally of 2007, shame then that it still missed the top thanks to Leona Lewis who was turning into the nemesis of the band knocking two of their chart toppers off No 1 and denying this one. It featured in the film “Stardust” and was the first track the band ever wrote specifically for a film and is the 4th track from them on the list.

32. A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION (REMIX)- Elvis Vs JXL (700,900) YEAR: 2002 PEAK POSITION: 1 WKS ON CHART: 16 An old Elvis B-side from 1968 which passed the UK altogether though it did get used in the Elvis film “Live A Little, Love A little”, it got a new lease of life when it was used in the film “Ocean’s Eleven” in 2001. That brought it to the attention of Dutch DJ Tom Holenborg (Junkie XL) who remixed the track bringing it up to date and got permission of the Elvis estate to release the track commercially. In turn it got picked up by Nike for use in its advertisement for the World Cup in 2002 and with the song getting promo for weeks on end it generated enough demand for the song which duly smashed in at No 1 on sales of 243k giving him an 18th chart topper and breaking the tie of most No 1 hits in the UK with The Beatles which had stood for 25 years and gave him the longest span of chart toppers at 45 years! A re-issue in 2005 saw the song go top 3 again- sales are combined here.

26TH DECEMBER Sales only cover December 14-19 so you might think that single sales would be unspectacular (given the week) for the Christmas chart, but nobody told that to Whitney Houston. Not only is she the festive chart topper for the year but she also sold a remarkable 183,090 copies into the bargain, that’s the third highest tally of the 90s and even outsold the rest of the top 4 put together, total sales of “I Will Always Love You” now stand at 696,600 as it grabs the accolade of best seller of the year from Snap!’s grasp at the death, it is also the 4th biggest seller of the decade so far. Moreover it is the first festive chart topper from a female soloist since Winifred Atwell in 1954. Her victory was overwhelming and she was out of sight virtually from the off, Michael Jackson came in as the runner up for a third week, his sale of 82,110 is enough to see “Heal The World” sell 259,080 and is already in the top 15 for the year, Charles & Eddie are again in bronze position with sales of 41,790 as it tips over the 460,000 mark. Further down some re-arranging occurs, Take That nudge 5-4 (39,015) and the Shamen improve 7-5 (34,335) whilst WWF Superstars end up slumping 4-6 (33,885). Two megamix’s back to back, Boney M jump 10-7 (27,195) whilst at No 8 is Gloria Estefan and her “Miami Hitmix” which is a medley of some of her hits both as a soloist and with the Miami Sound Machine. It’s backed with the seasonal “Christmas Through Your Eyes” co-written by Diane Warren, though as it’s the party season it’s the hitmix that is getting the airplay and promo, the project has been released to help promote a new greatest hits compilation which rises to No 2 this week behind Cher’s greatest hits and with Erasure at No 3, Genesis at No 4, Freddie Mercury at 6, Simple Minds at 7, and Abba at 10, it makes it a festive chart full of GH sets. It is Estefan’s 6th top 10 single, this one selling 22,650 copies last week. Rod Stewart holds at No 9 (21,930) whilst Madonna slides 6-10 (20,235). 1- I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU- Whitney Houston (183,090) 2- HEAL THE WORLD- Michael Jackson (82,110) 3- WOULD I LIE TO YOU- Charles & Eddie (41,790) 4- COULD IT BE MAGIC- Take That (39,015) 5- PHOREVER PEOPLE- The Shamen (34,335) 6- SLAM JAM- WWF Superstars (33,885) 7- BONEY M MEGAMIX- Boney M (27,195) 8- MIAMI HIT MIX/ CHRISTMAS THROUGH YOUR EYES- Gloria Estefan (22,650) 9- TOM TRAUBERT’S BLUES (WALTZING MATILDA)- Rod Stewart (21,930) 10- DEEPER AND DEEPER- Madonna (20,235)