awardinary

So this is taking off then and now #1 on iTunes.

#9 Daniel Bedingfield – Gotta Get Thru This Date Charted: 08/12/2001 Weeks at #1: 3 UK Chart Run: {1}-1-2-3-2-1-3-6-13-11-13-22-27-39-45-55-54-54->18 Chart Commentary This was the debut single from Daniel Bedingdield, brother of Natasha who would later come on the scene. Not knowing what type of artist he would go on to become, many expected that he was a garage artist given his unique blend of garage beats on display in 'Gotta Get Thru This' which went on to be #1 for 3 unconsecutive weeks. At the time there was nothing else quite like it in the charts, and so this slotted right in at the top, holding out much promise for this new artist. The song was able to shift more sales than the likes of PPK, Hear'Say, Kate Winslet, Geri Halliwell, Basement Jaxx, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Stereophonics, Steps, Hermes House Band and even The Tweenies! It returned back to #1 in the first week of 2002.

#10 Hear'Say – Pure And Simple Date Charted: 24/03/2001 Weeks at #1: 3 UK Chart Run: {1}-1-1-3-5-12-20-24-26-28-35-38-41-44-48-53-50-52-42-36-36-49-64-66-67->25 Chart Commentary The first of its kind. A TV Talent show runs several episodes to find the next best pop group, and this is the result of all those weeks of hard work and auditions! Hear'Say are formed as a 5-piece mixed group, and their debut single, 'Pure And Simple' went on to become a three week #1 smash for the start of the year. At the time it was quite a moment, and it was the first time the TV screen had captured the imagination of the viewing audience as they got a glimpse into the lives of these regular and unknown singers, ready to take on the world. It was surely seeing the success of the TV talen show model that inspired a certain Simon Cowell to create several TV franchises in the years to follow to scout for singing talent. As a song, I don't mind 'Pure And Simple' at all and it was one of the better pop songs of the year for me, probably due to the story of how it came to be. Some artists it denied higher chart peaks for at the time included Chocolate Puma, Stereophonics, Craig David, Crazy Town and M&S pts. The Girl Next Door.

Any more votes in this week's poll?

I believe so Mack yeah.

#11 S Club 7 – Have You Ever Date Charted: 01/12/2001 Weeks at #1: 1 UK Chart Run: {1}-2-3-7-6-7-9-23-35-56-45-37-46-61->14 Chart Commentary Just missing out on the Top 10 in this countdown, we have one of two S Club 7 singles to have reached the top of the UK charts during 2001. This heartfelt ballad, carried by Jo's uplifting vocals, was the last time the group got to #1. They had a great short-lived career as a band and left a legacy on the pop world for many to follow in the footsteps of. Rachel went on to become the most successful soloist of the group. 'Have You Ever' was a well timed ballad in the run up to Christmas and became one of the their fans most cherished singles. In the week it peaked, it denied singles by Riva feat. Dannii Minogue, U2 and DJ Ötzi.

#12 Westlife – Uptown Girl Date Charted: 17/03/2001 Weeks at #1: 1 UK Chart Run: {1}-2-3-5-8-9-16-24-33-35-39-49-47-63-60-68->16 Chart Commentary The second Westlife song to feature on this year's countdown is the Comic Relief single for 2001. A cover of Billy Joel's famous 80's hit, it gave the Irish boys another solid hit to continue their success and one that for a change wasn't a ballad. The fun music video captured imaginations and left listeners with a sense of joy and nostalgia. It managed a single week at #1, denying Gorillaz from achieving a higher peak debut. As a Westlife song, this one is not only tolerable to listen to but also encompasses everything that Red Nose Day should be all about!

How long is the radio edit of End Of Summer?

#13 Jennifer Lopez – Love Don't Cost A Thing Date Charted: 20/01/2001 Weeks at #1: 1 UK Chart Run: {1}-3-8-15-23-30-37-45-52-56-67R(4)->11 Chart Commentary Worldwide hit 'Love Don't Cost A Thing' went on to become one of the year's first #1 singles. It came at an early point in J-Lo's glittering music career, and was her first UK #1 single. She would later go on to be #1 on two other occasions. Just a single week at #1 in January, it was able to leap above other #1 hopefuls from Feeder, Texas and Mis-Teeq. I do remember hearing this at the time and starting to believe that J-Lo was going to be this huge pop star, and her follow-up singles didn't disappoint either. She was one of the big reasons for investing in Hits compilations from the time so I could own her music. I still think this is one of her better songs and it has a nostalgic early 00's feel to it which still resonates today. Not quite a Top 10 for me but quite comfortable top half of the UK #1 singles from 2001.

The irony of that statement being the only noteable transfer they achieved was a player than Man United previously rejected... Elanga!

#14 Emma Bunton – What Took You So Long? Date Charted: 14/04/2001 Weeks at #1: 2 UK Chart Run: {1}-1-8-11-16-20-27-32-39-46-54-60->12 Chart Commentary Here at #14 we have the only #1 single by Baby Spice, and her first outright solo single. It was another two-week stayer at #1 in the Spring of 2001. The breezy pop record was one that captured the imagination of many and gave Emma a comfortable springboard to carve a successful solo career out of in the years to come. The contemporary nature of the song didn't appeal to me much at the time of its release, but it sounds pleasant enough to listen to all these years later. I wouldn't have called it a #1 sounding single at the time, but to be fair, it did deny competition from the likes of Janet Jackson, Gabrielle, Lil Bow Wow and Robbie Williams from getting to the top.