dandy*

I have a clear favourite from that final two but I suspect the other one may win, we shall see!

Take Me With U being that high is definitely unexpected for me, I mean it's okay but it's not a patch on the other singles from Purple Rain. I was probably a bit harsh on U Got The Look, it's grown on me a lot but I hadn't really paid that much attention to it before this rate, surprised it is top 10 though - and kinda more surprised it is our host's favourite, I wouldn't have guessed that in a million years. Raspberry Beret is lovely, a really pretty melody and production.

Surely it's simply because people wouldn't have cared after the day itself?

I have never been able to get Alphabet Street, I think it's just kinda boring?!!

Gold Prince's best 90s single for me, it's a fantastic pop track that doesn't feel anywhere near as long as it is. It's head and shoulders above anything else he released post the love symbol album.

Best: Prince - When Doves Cry David Bowie - Let's Dance Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) Toto - Africa Duran Duran - The Reflex Worst: Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You Lionel Richie - Hello Lionel Richie - Truly

That week 2 figure for the Spice Girls is almost more impressive than the first week - especially when the album was also shifting huge numbers

I absolutely love Gett Off. At the time it was released I was far too prudish and sheltered to be able to listen to it, I used to skip it on the album because I knew my parents would freak if they heard the lyrics :lol: But the production was always a winner for me, love the flute line in particular and the James Brown breakdown part - and now that I'm a little less sheltered I can even enjoy the lyrics :D

20 I Beleive In Father Christmas - Greg Lake (1975) 19 Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley (2008) 18 Uptown Funk - Mark Robson Featuring Bruno Mars (2014) 17 Jeepster - T. Rex (1971) 16 Magical Mystery Tour EP - The Beatles (1967) 15 Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice (1990) 14 Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey (1994) 13 Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl (1987) 12 Caravan Of Love - The Housemartins (1986) 11 JCB Song - Nizlopi (2005) 10 Patience - Take That (2006) 09 What’s My Name - Rihanna Featuring Drake (2010) 08 Human - Rag’n’Bone Man (2016) 07 Saving All My Love For You - Whitney Houston (1985) 06 (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon (1980) 05 Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) - The Darkness (2003) 04 She Loves You - The Beatles (1963) 03 Sweet But Psycho - Ava Max (2018) 02 Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley And His Comets (1955) 01 Downtown - Petula Clark (1964) *edited to include Mariah. I originally discarded both her and Wham but I forgot she's never been christmas #1 so I'll allow her back in*

Placebo and Depeche Mode were the most borderline but we felt they were just on the right side of the line... Whilst Bruise Pristine may have peaked one place higher in week one, it definitely wasn't a bigger hit than the Paula Cole song as the latter stuck around for 6 weeks and made the extended end of year sales chart.

Haha, I've been wondering if you'd put it third ever since you shared the list :D

...and we've signed off I think so over to Addy! ^_^

We're taking a look now Addy, but just to be transparent... two of the reconfirmations have spotify play counts of over 100million, which is basically 70-100 million more than even the most borderline songs in the list. Over 100 million is a really high amount for a song from 1997 to have so I suspect they will end up being vetoed. If you're one of the two people who have sent either song then could you have a think if you have something less well known to send please? Well known artists are fine if you want to go down that route, but just try to send something that isn't among their very biggest tracks... having had a quick look, if you were tied to those artists then I'm pretty certain any of the other 1997 singles from those albums would be fine as they are substantially less well known.

Probably Ellie Goulding now, it's definitely the one I'm least likely to listen to.

I did debate whether it was just a song that I knew really well or whether more people would also know it - and I think the replies in here from the other participants so far suggest that it was the right call as even younger members are saying they knew of it. And, if someone's reading this who doesn't know it, still go listen ^_^

Also: :hitler:

I think we have been a more harsh than normal in this contest - but this edition in particular is an incredibly broad theme so it ought to really be easy enough to find a song that hasn't been entered in a contest on the site before. (and I'm sure nobody has intentionally sent something from another contest btw)

Robbie to win. The Jamelia song is okay but it's not as good as the ones that preceded it, where as You Know Me and Bodies are among my favourite Robbie tracks.

Great turn out! Looking forward to seeing what's in the list - hopefully we won't need to be too harsh ^_^

I honestly wouldn't - I'm Breathless is definitely corny but it's okay if you go into it with the right mood. ie, wanting to listen to a tongue in cheek musical soundtrack, plus I do actually like most of the songs on the second half of it for what they are Evita is just plain boring to me

Controversy is FAR too low :( It's by far my favourite of his early singles, that drive to the rhythm and the chorus is really infectious after a few plays The two Diamonds & Pearls tracks are brilliant as well, in fact most of that album is pretty special. Thunder got booted up my ranking on my revised list as it's just such an epic album opener

Agree! Even her I'm Breathless era is more impactful :D

Gosh I haven't thought about that album in a very long time. I too bought it off the back of loving her with Damien, but I can't recall much about the album now tbh. Glad you've got it though, it's always nice to manage to bag something you want that much ^_^

New Power Generation and My Name Is Prince are both amazing. The former is such a good example of the sound, it's almost like an early C&C Music Factory single and certainly sounds like it influenced a lot of early 90s US music. My Name is Prince is also fantastic, I didn't like it much at the time but it really is a funky track that has held up well

Oh I've just realised that I got an 18 from Lex! That has to be very much a rarity :D - thank you!