Jaz13music

Thanks for doing the work I was too lazy to do😆! I went as far as finding one fake version and I suspected there might be more, but I didn’t realise just how many! Is that some kind of record do you think?! I didn’t realise a fake version stayed around for long, would that have been the most successful of them all then?

No problem, as the phrase goes, different strokes for different folks! I actually thought that would be the song that was your #26. I hope you enjoy the remaining two songs, I can see one of them is your #4?

Innuendo is a song I certainly admire a lot, especially for its ambition. It’s the type of song I’d normally gravitate towards. It sounds fantastic and the lyrics are poignant, even though we didn’t know what Freddie was going through at the time of its release. However though I’ve tried hard, I just don’t love it, I don’t really know why. So that means my top three are the same as yours, but in what order I wonder?

3 Mirrors - Justin Timberlake. Number one for 3 weeks Year end number 10 Number 2 watch - Pompeii - Bastille When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars Mirrors was the second single from Justin’s third studio album The 20/20 Experience and was inspired by his relationship with his soon to be wife, Jessica Biel, and the impact she had on his life, and also his grandparents' long marriage. It was his fourth and most recent UK number one and was also co-written and produced by Timbaland. Prior to this era Justin had taken a break from music since his last album in 2006, to concentrate on his acting career, and had to be persuaded to record again by his manager and Timbaland. The record release was also delayed by his marriage. Although the final version of Mirrors is eight minutes long (there was a shorter, and lesser, radio edit), the R&B oriented second half was created years later and separately from the original track, the two parts were eventually connected to flow like a single song. I love Timbaland’s signature sounding production, the first half with its head-nodding percussion driven R&B and grand orchestral strings, followed by the more soulful ballad of the second half. Justin’s fantastic vocals are laidback and soulful but with his excellent falsetto and some lovely layering of the harmonies. Lyrically I feel there’s a lovely contrast between this and one of JTs best singles from many years before, Cry Me A River. In that song he’s all bitterness, anger, dark and even vengeful, but in Mirrors there’s love, warmth, comfort and safety, maybe more ‘grown up’ emotions? Now he feels complete, realising that his partner is his other half, his mirror. Such a beautiful romantic song. I definitely prefer the full/longer version and its extended ending (as in the video) with the gorgeous ‘you are, you are the love of my life’ coda. The video is a beautiful tearjerking ode to the ebb and flow of love and life, even after one partner has passed away, and was a tribute to Justin’s grandparents. I think this gorgeous song is right up with JT’s solo or NSYNC’s very best, and of course there’s some real bangers among those……Alright, since you ask, they would be Rock Your Body, My Love and Girlfriend! 9 Quiz - Answer - What Does The Fox say? - Ylvis What instrumental track reached the Billboard number one and UK top ten in 2013?

Can I pretend I’m voting for the extended versions of some of these? Introspective is my absolute favourite, there’s some real bangers on there!

OK Computer is such a brilliant album I’d love any song you could have chosen from it. No Surprises is beautiful and understated and that video is excellent. Maybe Karma Police might be my fav?! I could say the same about the You’ve Come A Long Way Baby singles too, each one is ace. Right Here Right Now is full of drive and energy and great drops. I’ve got a real soft spot for Gangster Trippin’ so that might just edge it for me I’m not sure I should mention another anecdote because I feel I’ve been name dropping too much during your thread, it’s probably just that the 80s/90s are right in my wheelhouse of musical loves and concert going. But maybe I can get away with another about Norman Cook, and the Housemartins specifically? Before they had any releases or even a record deal they toured a lot around the north of England, and following one gig in my hometown they couldn’t afford any accommodation so ended up sleeping on my friend’s bedroom floor, so I got to meet and spend a bit of time with them. They were really lovely. Fantastic band too.

Of course, thanks! …..But first I need to get over my deep seated fear of rejection!

In Another Dimension… Bear with me for another little diversion… As I’ve been researching for this countdown I’ve discovered many of the 2013 number ones have convoluted routes to their final versions. And I’ve also noticed a few people commenting about these other versions. From being offered to different artists initially (often seemingly Rihanna or Beyoncé, for some reason!), songwriters passing onto different vocalists/artists, remixes, or initial/later versions with different personnel, there were many different outcomes possible from the one we eventually got. So in honour of these ‘sliding door’ moments, I’ve gathered together some of these to see what you think….?! Tulisa’s version of Scream & Shout, which she initially wrote, titled I Don’t Give A F**k Bebe Rexha’s version of The Monster, which she called The Monster Under My Bed, whose chorus was used in the number one single The Saturdays solo version of What About Us, without Sean Paul, and released primarily for the US market Charli XCX’s version of I Love It, which she wrote but gave to Icona Pop to release Leona Lewis’ version of Burn. Ellie Goulding would take her version to number one Aloe Blacc’s solo acoustic version of Wake Me Up, the original of which he wrote but wasn’t credited as a performer for The Bingo Players’ original version of Rattle, which became Get Up (Rattle) with rap vocals, before it became a number one Storm Queen’s Look Right Through, with the vocals but in its pre remix and pre chart success form Sadly, I’m afraid despite my best efforts, I couldn’t find CeeLo Green singing the original version of ‘Happy’, but apparently it does exist and here he is talking about it. I just have a feeling it would be great. Maybe one day….

It’s hard to deny Layla’s iconic guitar riff. Virginia Plain would be my favourite of this set, what a cool group! Lean On Me has a great positive message Sugar Me is the other song here I love, very distinctive Long Cool Way Woman… is a later Hollies highlight More excellent spelling and glam rock from Slade

Your Woman is a great choice, one of most unusual unique number ones, very lo-fi. It’s a pity I can’t imagine anything like that happening nowadays. The sing/talking vocals remind me of Neil Tennant. Massive Attack are brilliant, Blue Lines is still my favourite album of theirs, even though Mezzanine is probably the most popular. And although Teardrops is now their most streamed song, I still think of Unfinished Sympathy as the signature song. I love the way it flows, and that deep bass, along with Shara’s gorgeous vocals. The video inspired The Verve’s equally iconic Bittersweet Symphony one.

I’ve already expressed my Grease love so no surprise how fond I am of You’re The One That I Want, such a joyous song! Once I knew Mull Of Kintyre wasn’t number one here, it was obvious the Boney M double A side would be. It, and they, were so massive for that short period around ‘78 and seemingly everywhere. Not scientific at all but I get the impression that the songs lingering around the chart longest have done better in this countdown, rather than those with higher peaks and time at number one (especially Christmas ). I’m thinking of Sailing and Rivers.., rather than Wings, Mary’s Boy Child and Queen, would you agree Gezza? Anyway, that and the generally massive ‘78 sales benefited that Boney M single. I don’t mind them but also don’t love them Loved this countdown though Gezza, great memories, really interesting sales stats and really engaging so thank you!

4 I Love It - Icona Pop Feat. Charli XCX. Number one for 1 week Year end number 19 I Love It is by Swedish synth pop duo Icona Pop and features vocals from Charli XCX. It was added to Icona Pop’s self titled debut album. It was also co-written by Charli, who has said she knew she would not end up releasing it herself because it didn’t fit in with her sound. Despite being released as a single back in May 2012 in Sweden, it took until late June 2013, over a year later, before it charted at number 1 in the UK. Prior to this, a cover version of the song by Venus Palermo entered the UK singles chart at #71. Charli’s original version was considered too smooth by Icona Pop so they approached Swedish producer Style of Eye to make a rougher punkier version of the track. And musically it’s so much fun, definitely revved up (with sounds to match) and maxed out. A synth driven hyperpop dance oriented banger with plenty of sub bass, I love this all-in approach. It has an undeniable energy. The song's lyrics feel like a feminist anthem describing the break up from a toxic relationship with an older partner, with lines like ‘You're from the 70s but I'm a 90s bitch’, and obviously its defiant chanted ‘I don't care / I love it" chorus. I especially love the ‘I threw your sh*t into a bag and pushed it down the stairs’ line! It has echoes of Shampoo in its brattiness (pun intended!). With hindsight it seems strange that Charli could be more famous for her songwriting for others at the time, when she’s become such an influential artist in her own right now. She would obviously go on to even bigger (and better) things with her own music further down the line. 9 Quiz - Answer - Zedd (with Foxes) for Clarity What Norwegian artist’s song spawned the top trending video for 2013 in YouTube?

Sadeness is great, a very unique number one, especially love the chanting. Crazy is probably even better, but I agree it’s topped by Killer, one of the very best number ones of the 90s. My top 3 are also still to come, I’m interested to see how it all turns out!

I loved Grease as a kid, and saw it many times in ‘78. But, for some weird (probably snobbish) reason I can’t remember, I didn’t really like the singles as standalone songs at the time. Nowadays I love them unironically, especially the two main duets. I also like Mull Of Kintyre, especially the ‘pipes’ which are really lovely.

Ha, my middle daughter has Viva Forever as her birthday number one!! Obviously that means I have a special emotional attachment to the song, though aside from that it is a lovely melody, and along with 2 Become 1, my favourite Spice Girls ballad. Live Forever was number one in my songs of the year list back in ‘94, so I absolutely love it. At the time it felt like a real step up in their progress as a band, and is certainly still one of my favourite Oasis songs. Most of all I have a soft spot for Some Might Say because I saw them live (supported by Pulp, who played Common People for the very first time!) on the week it became their first number one, and there was a great celebration energy around. They also debuted a new song called Don’t Look Back In Anger for the first time on the same night, one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to!

I considered a few artists I love, but I nominated late and became convinced that they’d already be chosen. So stupidly I didn’t go there and, of course, they’ve not been picked! I’ll just keep them for an another contest, but I’m obviously still a novice and learning about choosing nominations !😆

5 Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Feat. Wanz. Number one for 1 week Year end number 7 Number 2 watch - White Noise - Disclosure/Alunageorge Here’s an act that’s become very topical whilst I’ve been doing this thread! None of that has affected its position in the ranking though, it was decided long before that blew up. Thrift Shop is by American hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and featuring vocals from American singer Wanz. It was released, independently, as the fourth single from the former's debut studio album The Heist. It was the first UK number one for all the artists, but Macklemore would eventually have a second one as a featured artist on Rudimental’s (yes, them again) These Days in 2018. It was first released in August 2012 and was a genuine organic slow burn success, firstly in Australia at the end of 2012, then achieving massive commercial success in the US in early 2013 before taking off over here too. It’s ascent to number one in the UK was a truly excellent 84>24>2>1 ! It became the Billboard end of year number one for 2013. A lot was made of the way the song was released. It became only the second independent song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, nearly 20 years after Lisa Loeb’s Stay (I Missed You) in 1994. The Official Charts Company at the time credited the track as being only the second self-released single to reach Number One in UK Chart history. Thrift Shop has a certain unique charm. I love both the humorous lyrics and social commentary. It’s quite an unusual song in both its rhythms and hook but also self deprecating lyrics which contrasted with the bravado of most other rap records. They describe the joy of going to thrift/charity shops, finding bargains and saving money, rather than flaunting expensive designer labels and trends like many rappers at the time. There’ll be another brilliant song discussing similar themes to come here. Macklemore claims to enjoy donning ‘your granddad's clothes’ and impulsively buying a sharp-looking but strong-smelling fur stole just because ‘it was 99 cents’. Championing individuality and still looking great! And I can’t not comment on those honking horns, a looping saxophone, distinctive and fantastic, a really infectious hook. Macklemore seems like a genuinely good guy with his social activism too. He has given support to addiction recovery programs after his own battles with this. He has had involvement in programs promoting education of disadvantaged youth and cultural identity through music workshops. His support of LGBTQ+ rights is well known, condemning homophobia in mainstream hip-hop, society and mass media, including the song Same Love supporting same sex marriage. He is also an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, he has frequently highlighted human rights abuses in various conflict zones, and is obviously a very vocal supporter of Palestinian Nationalism, which has been especially prominent in the news just recently. So, an original song, musically daring and genuinely funny, and a true rags to riches story for a deserving artist. What’s not to like? Yes it was ‘f*****g awesome’! 8 Quiz - Answer - A photo of a player on the Kansas City Royals baseball team Which Russian-German producer won the Award for Best Dance Recording for their 2013 hit, at the 2014 Grammys?

I’m a big Air fan, Sexy Boy and the Moon Safari as whole are both really cool, classy, and very influential of course. Love the instrumentals too. My own favourite album of theirs would probably be the Prog influenced 10,000 Hz Legend (or maybe Talkie Walkie). I love Born Slippy, though definitely in its full length version. I’ve always felt that, though on the surface it’s a harsh energetic club banger, to me it’s really a very beautiful stark masterpiece. A brilliant achievement. Great band across their whole career though!

Ah I love that Ruby Trax compilation and the songs you mention from it, I especially love the Manics version of the M*A*S*H theme. I believe it was curated by the NME, who of course produced the very first UK charts, and that’s why Vienna is there, because it did make number one on the NME chart though not the official one of the time (BMRB?). Thanks for reminding me of it though, I need to go dig it out of my CD collection now!

Bright Eyes is very pretty, Art’s vocals as great as always. As you mentioned, quite a dark subject for what is essentially a children’s film. Ah, Sailing was the song that I couldn’t think of when I was trying to guess the remaining songs. Of course it had two very successful chart runs within the 70s. It’s okay, but nowhere near one of Rod’s best. My parents both love it though, so there’s that!

I’ve done an Apple Music version: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/bop-idol-8-whole-lotta-history/pl.u-Ymb07a0uE09EY

Oh that’s my favourite Christmas song too! Also the first single I ever bought

6 Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus. Number one for 1 week Year end number 41 Number 2 watch - Berserk - Eminem Miley’s 2nd UK number one of 2013, Wrecking Ball is also from her fourth studio album, Bangerz. Both Wrecking Ball and Bangerz entered at number one on October 13, 2013, my birthday chart! It was also Miley’s first ever US number one, which I do find quite surprising. It was, apparently, originally written with Beyoncé in mind, before being offered to Miley. In 2023, Miley also re-recorded the song as a duet with Dolly Parton for her album Rockstar. The famous video features close-up scenes of Miley tearfully singing, inspired by Sinead O’Connor’s iconic Nothing Compares 2 U video, contrasting with footage of her licking a sledgehammer and swinging on an actual wrecking ball while naked. I think Wrecking Ball being a power ballad about heartbreak makes a nice contrast with We Can’t Stop. I love the subtle melodic verses most of all, with its minimalist keyboards, which is able to put emphasis on Miley’s anguished vocal, and allows the song to properly build. Of course the chorus has a big impact when it comes, reflecting the impact of the lyrical theme of a wrecking ball, comparing it with the deterioration of a relationship, and she certainly shows off her great powerful vocals. I think it’s still her best single to date. Miley’s adult career had really taken off! 8 Quiz - Answer - Beyoncé What did Lorde reveal to be the lyrical inspiration behind her No. 1 hit "Royals"?

Yeah I pretty much agree on (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, the (very) long spell at number one has forever clouded what it is essentially a great rock ballad.

Yes of course! What did you have in mind? 🤔