Jaz13music

15 We Can’t Stop - Miley Cyrus. Number one for 1 week Year end number 28 We Can’t Stop was released as the lead single from Miley’s fourth studio album Bangerz, and was her first UK number one. In common with seemingly many of the number ones by female artists in this era, We Can’t Stop had apparently been offered to Rihanna first, I feel it really suits Miley though. The track also includes a sample of the track ‘La Di Da Di’ by Doug E. Fresh and MC Ricky D. It’s an R&B influenced electro pop song whose lyrics focus on house parties, recreational drug use, and living life unapologetically. I love the bittersweet contrast of having lyrics about a hedonistic party but musically, instead of a club banger, it has slower moodier almost sad vibe. With hindsight it obviously marked Miley’s progression from her Disney Hannah Montana persona to an edgy mature pop star, moving from the ‘Party In The USA of her childhood to this new adult ‘party’. The music video is a bit weird and also seemingly intentionally provocative. It features rebellious behaviour designed to shock, but to also shed her former child-star image. It was additionally promoted with the aforementioned highly controversial performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music awards, involving a provocative duet with Robin Thicke which I won’t discuss again here, aside from saying that the ensuing publicity certainly helped propel Miley’s career. At times, especially with the pitch changed intro, it feels a bit strange. At other times it’s simplistic but with a great rebellious message, live your life to the full without worrying about what others think. It was a brave risky move to provoke in this way, but it certainly paid off. Miley would be back very soon with an even better song… 6 Quiz - Answer - Destiny's Child. Which artist became the first to perform on all seven continents by playing a gig in Antarctica in December 2013?

Yes a great Christmas for releases. I love the lyrics of Shout but mostly I love the sparse percussion dominating music. Last Christmas is…. just there now, I really don’t need to hear it again. But Everything She Wants is great, one of my very favourite Wham singles. I can’t think of a better charity single than Band Aid, the one all others are measured against. It’s brilliant especially when you remember how quickly it was put together. Both the beautiful San Damiano and the fun Police Officer were songs I didn’t remember before the listen through. I love I Want To Know What Love Is, as you say one of the best soft rock songs, just emotive enough. Thank God It’s Christmas is one of my favourite Christmas songs, not too overplayed.

Yay, brilliant news!

Agreeing again! I Don’t Like Mondays is my favourite of these, another very unusual song in structure and lyrics, I’m still amazed it got to number one! I do like Night Fever but it’s nowhere near my favourite of their disco era singles, that would be the start of it all, Jive Talking. I don’t like Don’t Give Up On Us, horribly saccharine rubbish. Was trying to think what would make up the top 26 here, because a few of the EOY big sellers of the 70s have already gone, David Soul included. But then I remembered 1978 and its huge sellers …..

16 Animals - Martin Garrix. Number one for 1 week Year end number 64 I’m moving up to songs I like a lot now. Animals is a ‘house’ instrumental by the then 17 year old Dutch DJ and producer Garrix, the only spoken words are ‘We're the f*****g animals’, which appears twice in a low pitch. Garrix became one of the youngest artists to enter at the top of the UK Singles Chart with their debut single, a record held by Billie Piper’s ‘Because We Want To’ from July 1998. In debuting at number one that week it finished ahead of ahead of stiff competition, one was from an advert which we’ll see here later, and another was Ellie Goulding’s Children in Need charity song ‘How Long Will I Love You’. In general, instrumental tracks reaching the top of the charts were still quite a rare occurrence. For example in the US ‘Animals’ was the first instrumental track to reach the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1999. I’m a big fan of this, perhaps more now than when it was released. It feels like a prime EDM track, both infectious and energetic and an anthem perfect for festival crowds. It also changes pace very often and although that can seem disjointed in some songs, here I think it works well. I especially love the speeding up ticking clock introducing the beat and the unusual for the time, minimalistic ‘quiet’ drop, which bucks the trend by dialing back on the bombast. Although he had many more UK hits, this remains Garrix’s only number one single to date. 6 Quiz - Answer - "Believe in Me" it finished in 19th place. Which band reformed to play the half-time show at Super Bowl XLVII?

The last three songs I like but in very different ways. I agree with Jade, Rhythm Stick is my favourite. It’s a really unique number one, obviously lyrically with Dury’s stream of consciousness, but also musically. The Blockheads were always fantastic musicians in their own right. Shout out for the next single Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3, which was equally amazing! Did Rhythm Stick sell a million eventually? Don’t Go Breaking My Heart is a lovely male/female duet, which I’m definitely a sucker for! Great disco classic. And Don’t Cry For Me Argentina is gorgeous, so glad that Julie Covington’s version was the one released, she puts just enough emotion into it!

Life On Mars is great, one of Bowie’s best ballads! So many of his songs to choose from, maybe I’d go for Ashes To Ashes as my favourite. But that would take up a precious 80s slot, so perhaps Ziggy Stardust? Very difficult! No doubt about I Feel Love’s place though! Just brilliant but also groundbreaking and way ahead of its time. I love everything about it but especially that weird syncopated ever changing rhythm. Eno underestimated it though, it changed the sound of club music for more like 50 years, and still sounds like the future!

Are we thinking Choosin’ Texas is settling in for another extended number one, it seems to be mirroring what happened to Rein Me In a lot?

17 Wake Me Up - Avicii. Number one for 3 weeks Year end number 3 (70 in 2014) Number 2 watch - Best Song Ever - One Direction I have to admit, I’m a bit nervous about putting this song here, as I suspect (especially based on previous comments) that it will be much loved. Just to say, I do like it a lot, I just never loved it. And 17th place, in the middle ground, is not bad. This was released as the lead single from Avicii’s debut album True and features the (uncredited) vocals of Aloe Blacc, though Blacc later released an acoustic solo version of ‘Wake Me Up’ himself. Blacc also wrote the lyrics about his career as a singer and musician being his lifelong dream, hence the phrase ‘wake me up when it's all over'. I’ve seen the song sometimes described as ‘Folktronica’, a combination of EDM, soul and country music. It was certainly a new twist on the dominant EDM of the time, and was definitely summery in its vibe, another successful transfer from the dance floors of Europe. In the UK the original release date was intended to be 8 September 2013, but in the absence of the original, as was often the case in this era, a cover version was released first, this time by a group called ‘Spark Productions’, this version reached number 26 before Avicii conceded to public demand and decided to release it early, on 15 July 2013. It became Avicii's second UK number one, both in 2013 and his career, and sold a massive 88,000 copies in its first day (!) going on to sell 267,000 in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling single and biggest single week sales of the year. It had 3 weeks at number one, then a further 4 at number two, during a period of huge selling chart toppers. It passed 1 million sales within 4 months, and eventually became the 43rd best selling single in UK chart history. A charity version of Wake Me Up made by Gareth Malone's All Star Choir as the official BBC Children in Need single also reached number one in 2014, spending an incredible total of 3 weeks in the top 100, 1<7<54<out! It’s just a personal preference, but I was not really a huge fan of that resurgence of Mumford and Sons style bluegrass ‘foot stomping’ country folk (I really dislike Gary Barlow’s Let Me Go) but to put a dance beat to it meant it had some undeniable energy. I certainly prefer it to OneRepublics attempt at something similar this year. Avicii would go on to attempt the trick again, with diminished success, on his Hey Brother single later in the year. I do, however love the lyrics, both optimistic and emotional at the same time. Aloes great gravelly soulful vocals carry this very well in the verses and I certainly prefer that to the chorus. Ultimately Avicci’s life was tragically cut short far too soon and this was left as his last UK number one. A very sad loss. 5 Quiz - Answer - The Next Day What was the title of the UK's entry in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest sung by Bonnie Tyler?

Congrats @uhsting on an excellent win, and @leww and @matto for the podiums, all well deserved! Thanks @Chez Wombat for a great theme, brilliant hosting and bringing the fantastic Azul to the table! Thanks for everyone who voted for Stained including @Bror for that late 12 points! It pushed me into the top 10 for the first time in a BJ contest. Sorry for getting the theme completely wrong 🫢 but I’m glad some of you enjoyed the song despite that. I always really struggle with which song/act fit into which genre, so you might need to bear with me in future contests when I inevitably cock it up again😆. All in all it was fantastic fun so thanks everyone!

I was out of the country when the nominations deadline was near, so had to choose something quickly without any time to overthink it. I realise Stained is much more on the rock side but I was thinking more of the ‘art’ and ‘weird and wonderful’ part of the brief. After listening to the other entries I realised I was a bit out on a limb, sorry! Goes to prove I shouldn’t be let anywhere near a pop leaning contest 😆! Anyway thanks for votes so far Chez, Jade and uhsting, looks like it could be an exciting set of results.

Another two great songs! Wuthering Heights still sounds like nothing else in music, starkly original and very beautiful! Layla is an obviously a guitar classic but it’s so much more in the longer version as you described. Epic!

Loved Azul, great choice Chez! For some reason it gave me some Sufjan Stevens vibes, and that can never be a bad thing!

That was exactly my reaction too TheSnake! Jimmy’s song is terrible and pretty much unlistenable. The other two are fantastic and also groundbreaking singles. Gloria’s huge disco anthem and Tubeway Army’s wonderful dark synth masterpiece!

I didn’t know about that sample, thanks for that titbit! Fascinating Rhythm is a great song! Ah Bugsy Malone is brilliant, that’s much more my kind of thing!

I like Don’t Let The Sun… both the original and this version, though it didn’t really add much to be truthful. The vocals are great especially George’s, and the Elton introduction is a nice moment. I think I’m pretty much agreeing with your top 10, but in what order?

18 Burn - Ellie Goulding. Number one for 3 weeks Year end number 15 Burn is taken from Halcyon Days the reissue of Ellie’s second studio album, Halcyon. The song had been originally recorded by Leona Lewis for her third album Glassheart, but this version was ultimately scrapped. It became Goulding’s first UK number one. I do like Burn and I generally prefer Ellie’s uptempo songs to her ballads. I really love her distinctive voice anyway and the vocals sounds great here. Certainly it’s very catchy and the verses are very pretty, but its ‘gonna let it burn’ refrain does get a bit repetitive. The lyrics feel a bit generic too, perhaps sounding less personal, because unlike most of her songs, this was written by others and not Ellie herself. Musically the verses build like an EDM track but the chorus is definitely more pop leaning, so there’s a nice contrast between the two. I love the synths too especially toward the song’s end. 5 Quiz - Answer - Beyoncé David Bowie surprised fans in 2013 by releasing his first album in ten years. What was the name of this Number 1 album?

That’s impressive, fantastic work! I thought I had a decent collection but you’re all putting me to shame!

Wow that’s really brilliant! I’m very impressed!

I’ve noticed you mentioning getting CD singles of number ones in the past and forgot to ask about it. Have you collected all the 90s ones? That’s a fantastic achievement!

Some really great songs here! I love all 3 FGTH number ones and the order depends on my mood at the time. Power Of Love is gorgeous though. One Night In Bangkok is unique and something I’ve grown to like more with time. I’ve a soft spot for the Frog Chorus, very nostalgic and proof (again) that Paul could do anything. Like A Virgin is fantastic, I know she had bigger hits but to me it still feels like her signature song I’ve mentioned my soft spot for the Thompson Twins before More great vocals on Invisible from the fantastic Alison Moyet

I have a soft spot for Dizzy, but then I’m a big fan of the Wonderstuff, and I do love the original (that’s another one I need to add to my burgeoning 60s playlist) which this was basically a sped up ‘knock about’ version of. It just sounds like great fun and full of energy, though I agree Vic’s vocals aren’t the greatest! That’s the first of the 1991 number ones I’ve liked so far.

What a mixed bag those last 6 are, typical 70s number ones if there’s such a thing. On the one hand we’ve got the awful One Day At A Time, Under The Moon of Love and of course My Ding-A-Ling, there’s not much to say except how tragic that it was that song that gave the brilliant pioneering Chuck his only number one?! Then on the other hand we’ve got the brilliantly cool Dance Away, the fantastically unique In The Summertime and my favourite of all the wonderfully OTT Blockbuster and it’s sirens, guitar riff, stomping glam rock rhythm etc, everything including the kitchen sink (probably) thrown in. And it spawned the equally excellent Doctorin’ The Tardis of course!!!

Oh 2 of my absolute favourites here! I’m thinking they would both be there or thereabouts in my favourite 10 of the 70s. Another Brick.. proof that Pink Floyd could write a pop song, though as you say, not a typical one given the lyrics and video. The British public suddenly discovering good taste at Christmas, who’d have thought?! Heart Of Glass is my favourite Blondie song, mixing disco and new wave in an intoxicating way. I’ve heard some claiming it as the first US new wave number one, but they then proceeded to make the arguably the first reggae (Tide Is High ) and the first rap (Rapture) US number ones too. Unbelievable! I also want to highlight the involvement of the late great Clem Burke in everything they did (especially Dreaming) my favourite ever drummer!

Like many others I’d say Bring Your Daughter… is not my favourite Iron Maiden single, but it was great to see them at number one! Regarding low sales, there was a period when that spell just after Christmas became easy pickings for a number one for some unusual acts wasn’t there? I think the Manics did something similar didn’t they? Anyway I love a bit of metal doing well in the charts for a change. However my quoting the lyrics wasn’t exactly popular in our house… with my 3 daughters!😆