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#102. Usher - Burn 2 weeks at #1 in 2004 (#6 of 29 for '04) t5XNWFw5HVw This is like the ultimate R&B ballad. Usher was absolutely enormous over here during the Confessions era. His songs were all over the radio. "Burn" was originally intended to be the lead single, but US radio stations preferred "Yeah", so they were forced to switch them around. I've always felt this song sounded pretty similar to his previous hit "U Got It Bad". "Burn" has a very strong melody, though. So the first verse is Usher breaking up with this girl; ending with the line "you should let it burn". In this context, "let it burn" meaning that when the end of a relationship is inevitable, it's best to just end it, rather than prolonging it to avoid going through the hurt of a break-up. Because prolonging it just makes things worse, and you wind up hurting the other person more. Usher uses the pronoun "you" a lot in this song. It's like this whole song is a piece of advice to whoever's listening to it. But then the second verse and the bridge is Usher trying to move on after the break-up and he's struggling to do so. "I'm still burnin' till you return" says it all.

#103. Freddie Mercury - Living On My Own (1993 Remix) 2 weeks at #1 in 1993 (#3 of 15 for '93) o-urnGgFs4k Posthumous releases almost always feel awkward to me. There's just something about the artist not being able to give permission to release their recordings that just doesn't sit right with me. It often feels like they're just cashing in on their death. However, this one is a really great song, and it's just a remix of a single that was released in the mid 80's anyway. This song has a really catchy melody and I really like the production on the remix.

#104. Olive - You're Not Alone 2 weeks at #1 in 1997 (#4 of 24 for '97) zkg7Ozu0pH8 One of the many cases of a song going #1 from a dance remix. I love the production on this remix. It's very euphoric and haunting.

#105. Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden - Bonkers 2 weeks at #1 in 2009 (#5 of 32 for '09) Ci40ae8BlcE This is a pretty strange song, but that's why I like it. I love the heavy noisy production on this, especially the drop.

#106. Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe 4 weeks at #1 in 2012 (#7 of 36 for '12) fWNaR-rxAic The best word I can use to describe this song is cute. Probably the cutest #1 of my lifetime. She was probably a bit old (I think she was 26 or 27) to release a song like this, but I don't really care. So she meets this boy, and is all hung up over him. She introduces herself to him by saying "Hey, I just met you, And this is crazy, But here's my number, So call me, maybe?" That line is full of teenage awkwardness. Which makes it so realistic. It's never easy to talk to someone you like; let alone make the first move. That line displays the over-thinking about every single word you say. To the point where it becomes an awkward jumbled mess. Like adding in extra words and phrases because you don't want to be seen as being too this or too that. Like adding "maybe" at the end so as not to sound too forward. It really makes you sympathize with Carly. The song brings back bubblegum pop. It's insanely catchy. I love the strings in the production. I love the video just for the ending alone.

#107. Tasmin Archer - Sleeping Satellite 2 weeks at #1 in 1992 (#3 of 8 for '92) UuhDDx49TTw A fairly underrated #1, in my opinion. I really adore this one. Tasmin explained that this song was about how 20+ years after the first moon landing, little else had been accomplished in space exploration since. The lyrics leave the song open to many possible interpretations through metaphors.

#108. Tori Amos - Professional Widow (It's Got To Be Big) [Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' Mix] 1 week at #1 in 1997 (#5 of 24 for '97) Zqae5qyopok Well, it's gotta be big. I love this remix. Brilliant production. It's euphoric in some parts. It's a fast tempo and uses only a couple of lines on loop. One of the weirdest videos I've seen. It's a bunch of clips from her other videos edited together, but I've never seen those videos, so it's such a random sequence of imagery to me. Wikipedia says that this song is rumoured to be about Courtney Love. Interesting.

#109. Eminem - Lose Yourself 1 week at #1 in 2002 (#9 of 29 for '02) bmXumtgwtak This top 100 was incredibly difficult to narrow down. Though this one just misses out, I do feel like this is one of the best rap songs ever made. This song is about seizing the opportunity to go after your dreams. In Eminem's case, that dream being the fame. It's based on Eminem's life journey; as shown in the film 8 Mile. The song itself describes a specific moment. That one shot is happening right now. The stage fright is incredibly nerve racking and there's enormous pressure, etc. The chorus is very inspiring. If you have one shot, go for it and give it your all, because you may never get this opportunity again.

#110. Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around 15 weeks at #1 in 1994 (#3 of 15 for '94) h3gEkwhdXUE This is my second birthday #1 (and probably a birthday #1 for like 40% of this board). This spent literally an eternity at #1 in the UK, but only managed to peak at #41 in the US. That along with me being 2 years old, means I never had to suffer any overexposure of this song; where I imagine most of the British public did in 1994. This blocked 5 different songs from #1, including "I Swear" by All-4-One and "Confide In Me" by Kylie Minogue. A bit bitter about that last one. I'm not quite sure why I like this song so much. It doesn't seem like the typical thing I'd be into. It's very MOR. I can't stand their other two #1's. But I guess I just find this really uplifting.

#111. Sugababes - Round Round 1 week at #1 in 2002 (#10 of 29 for '02) FHh86ySgKrA "Freak Like Me" was a strong debut for the second line-up, but "Round Round" took it even further. Even though I prefer "Freak Like Me". This song is often credited for being an important milestone in changing the direction of British pop music in 2002; along with Girls Aloud's "Sound Of The Underground." This song was produced by Xenomania, who would later go on to produce all of Girls Aloud's stuff (after their first album). Xenomania had previously produced some stuff for Dannii Minogue (including her #4 hit "All I Wanna Do"), and they had some involvement in Cher's "Believe". UK pop music since the late 90's was mostly dominated by groups, and people going solo from those groups. Among the big ones in the early 2000's were Hear'Say, Atomic Kitten, Steps, the various S Club incarnations, etc. Their music was very camp and cheesy and childish (even if I like quite a few of their songs). None of those groups could really pull off a song like "Round Round". It was cool. It was sexy. It was even a bit edgy too. I'm pretty sure "round round" is a euphemism. And it kept their R&B sound from the first line-up. I also love Heidi's breakdown in this.

#112. DJ Fresh feat. Sian Evans - Louder 1 week at #1 in 2011 (#4 of 30 for '11) Og9352G3w-k This and Nero's "Promises" were the songs that made me like dubstep. This was the first dubstep #1. Though I believe the genre derives from garage (and drum n bass), and there were garage #1's before. This really stands out amongst the other #1's of 2011. There's so much energy in this song, it's about going through the rush of emotions when being in love. This song always makes me think of summer. I also like how it speeds up at the very end.

#113. Justin Timberlake - SexyBack 1 week at #1 in 2006 (#5 of 24 for '06) 3gOHvDP_vCs Apparently by late 2006, there was a crisis in pop music. Sexy had left! And JT vowed to bring it back. It's a very bold, and probably a very cocky, statement to make. And it became a phrase that embedded its way into pop culture for a while. The kids at my school were obsessed with this song. This song is very repetitive, but it's also very infectious. And Timbaland's production was amazing. And the lyrics doesn't hold back (like being whipped while in chains...) This would've been in my top 3 songs of 2006 had I had a personal chart back then. But I don't think this song has aged that well in the last 8 years... it really can't be 8 whole years since this came out?!

#114. Emma Bunton - What Took You So Long? 2 weeks at #1 in 2001 (#5 of 30 for '01) yX1Df_sjdzY You know you have a dedicated fanbase when 4/5 of the members of your group manage a solo #1 (and Posh came very close to having one too with that True Steppers song.) I find it pretty cool that even Baby Spice got a solo #1. A lot of critics say their solo careers were flops, but I'd say they all did decently well for a few years. They were all pretty much done after 2001, though. I always really liked Emma's voice. I tend to prefer softer/soother/calmer voices for some reason. She's my second favourite member after Mel C. I just really like the laidback production on this song. I'm not quite sure how to describe it.

#115. Babylon Zoo - Spaceman 5 weeks at #1 in 1996 (#9 of 24 for '96) GeUx5sdp3qM This went #1 after being used in a Levi's ad. But they used the portion of the song that's all high pitched and sped up. The part is almost like a remix of the song itself. The song starts off with that sped up part, which is very futuristic, but it turns out to be a complete fake out. About 45 seconds in, the song slows down to something else, which is more 90's alternative. (It also speeds up again towards the end.) The entire listening experience of this song is very bizarre, to say the least. But that's why I love this song. It's so "WTF". It's like being high on drugs. I have absolutely no idea what this song is supposed to be. It reminds me of a similar #1 from my birth year which is yet to come. The lyrics are very anti-establishment, though.

#116. Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis - Just Dance 3 weeks at #1 in 2009 (#6 of 32 for '09) 2Abk1jAONjw Speaking of RedOne. So, Gaga came *this* close to having all four of her #1's in my top 100. But sadly her debut single just misses out. It just hasn't aged on me as well as her other songs from this era of her career. But I still enjoy it. It's such an apt song to be the first #1 of 2009. A song called "Just Dance" kicking off a year full of dance pop #1's. It wouldn't say it started the trend, but it does feel like the beginning of an era. Dance pop had been building up in the previous years thanks to Timbaland and various songs in 2008. "Just Dance" premiered in April 2008, but it took forever to take off in the US, and by proxy the UK, for some reason (though it was a hit in August-ish in Canada/Australia, and I often associate this with the summer of 2008 for that reason.) Gaga definitely had a big role in kicking off the dance pop explosion, which I'd say happened in 2009. But I'd say The Black Eyed Peas and David Guetta played just as big of a role. Anyway, I've been babbling about the dance pop era enough now. So, as I eluded to earlier, this was produced by RedOne, who produced that Kat Deluna song. But "Just Dance" was his first major smash hit. He went on to produce most of Gaga's early hits as well, and everyone else wanted to use him as a producer soon afterwards. I love "Just Dance" because it's like a perfect party song. It's simply about having a good time, and not having a care in the world. And getting so drunk that you have no idea what's even going on anymore. I remember thinking this video was so weird because there was so many random things going on in it. And now it seems so tame by Gaga's standards lol. I always forget that Colby O'Donis is on this song. He adds absolutely nothing to the song; but doesn't detract from it either. He's just there. The song is all about Gaga making a name fore herself and she did just that.

#117. Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull - On The Floor 2 weeks at #1 in 2011 (#5 of 30 for '11) t4H_Zoh7G5A J Lo started off with dance pop type songs, like "If You Had My Love" and "Waiting For Tonight". Then when urban music became huge in the US, she did urban music for a while, including 527 songs with Ja Rule (when he wasn't busy making songs with Ashanti.) Then I'm not quite sure what she was trying to do after that, but it started to lead her into irrelevancy by 2007. Then came "On The Floor", and she had a huge comeback. And then she did 527 songs with Pitbull instead. Dance pop comes naturally to her, so having a comeback during the dance pop over-saturation era isn't that much of a surprise. But anyway. I absolutely love the production in this. RedOne rarely disappoints me. And I love the accordion in it. What brings this song down is the lyrics, which are... well... hollow. How many places does she need to list off? And it's really repetitive. The phrase "on the floor" is literally said 30 times in this song. It makes for a strong hook, though. And Pitbull's parts are dumb (like for example, "back it up like a tonka truck"), but that can be said for every song he features in.

#118. B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars - Nothin' On You 1 week at #1 in 2010 (#5 of 34 for '10) 8PTDv_szmL0 I loved this song so much in 2010. It was one of my top songs of the year. I think a huge part of that was because it really stood out to me at the time, against all the dance pop songs. And I really liked the sentiment of it. It's B.o.B reassuring this girl that she's truly the only girl for him. When he was younger he used to chase after lots of girls, and never wanted anything serious. But now he's ready for a full commitment. I also really liked Bruno's chorus in this. It flowed really well with B.o.B's parts. I still do love this song, but not as much as I used to.

#119. Jennifer Lopez - Love Don't Cost A Thing 1 week at #1 in 2001 (#6 of 30 for '01) 4kGvlESGvbs Yay for product placement. (Benz, Escalade, Roley bling [Rolex].) This song is simple. All that J Lo needs is love, and doesn't need to be bought with material possessions... because she's a super rich celebrity and already has a whole bunch of expensive material possessions (most of them being listed in this song.) Well, the meaning gets a bit lost there, and it's not the most relatable song if you're not a rich girl. But, it's a super catchy song and I just love the beat in this.

#120. Oasis - Some Might Say 1 week at #1 in 1995 (#3 of 17 for '95) 4fLR3FRaFsQ Their first #1. I don't really have a lot to say about it, though. It's a mysterious song and I don't really know what it's about. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying it.

#121. Eternal feat. BeBe Winans - I Wanna Be The Only One 1 week at #1 in 1997 (#6 of 24 for '97) UwoRPP3_clY I said before that there weren't a lot of R&B #1's in the 90's (especially by British artists) so this one always sticks out to me. I love the upbeat nature of this song, though it borders on gospel music. But I don't mind that too much in this song. Towards the end of this song, they go crazy with numerous key changes, which is fun. I don't know a lot of Eternal songs, but I do like "Angel Of Mine" as well (my mind was blown to learn that Monica's version was a cover).

#122. Fragma - Toca's Miracle 2 weeks at #1 in 2000 (#12 of 42 for '00) WGS30D6AClA "Let me tell you, you know, I-I-I I NEED A MIRACLE I NEED A MIRACLE!" This song has like 1300 versions, and I accidentally wind up on that 2008 remix too much. That "I need a miracle" line is like a phrase you want to cry outloud. Sometimes, we all need a miracle.

#123. The Wanted - Glad You Came 2 weeks at #1 in 2011 (#6 of 30 for '11) 2ggzxInyzVE I love the accordion in this. It adds a nice summery vibe. It makes me feel like I'm on a beach, and always takes me back to the summer of 2011. It's a very catchy feel good pop song. It's simply about enjoying a moment while being with someone special. A lot of boy band songs tend to be too childish, but with lyrics like "Hand you another drink; Drink it if you can" and "So let's go somewhere no one else can see", this song avoids falling into that territory.

#124. George Michael - Jesus To A Child 1 week at #1 in 1996 (#10 of 24 for '96) 2Ywsb7n_Q6k This is a very emotionally touching song. And something very deeply personal to George. It's about the untimely passing of his lover. I'm glad such a well written song could hit the top spot. But, not to be disrespectful, this song is a rather dull listen (especially since it's 7 minutes long.) Though I admit that tone is perfect for the song.

#125. Adele - Someone Like You 5 weeks at #1 in 2011 (#7 of 30 for '11) hLQl3WQQoQ0 I never fully fell in to the Adele-mania of 2011/2012. I mean, I felt that she was a great singer and all, and I absolutely loved "Rolling In The Deep" and "Set Fire To The Rain", but "21" bored me. "Turning Tables" was the only other song I liked on that album. The rest was so dull. Slow songs (piano ballads especially) didn't do anything for me back then. "Someone Like You" just wasn't my thing. However, my music tastes have changed a bit, and I appreciate this song for what it is now. This song was like a complete breath of fresh air in the music climate of 2011. It really stands out each time I do my playlist of UK #1's. This song is total raw emotion; as heard in her voice. The struggle to move on from a long dead relationship.

+5 · Lilly Wood & Robin Schulz · 'Prayer In C' +4 · Nico & Vinz · 'Am I Wrong' +3 · Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora · 'Black Widow' +2 · David Guetta ft. Sam Martin · 'Lovers On The Sun' +1 · Sam Smith · 'I'm Not The Only One' -1 · Duke Dumont · 'Won't Look Back' -2 · Taylor Swift · 'Shake It Off' -3 · The Script · 'Superheroes' -4 · MAGIC! · 'Rude' -5 · Maroon 5 · 'Maps' only really like the top 3 :/