dandy*

I really like Back to Life, possibly even more so now as I can appreciate how different it was for a UK #1 single

Ah that's a shame for DJ Koze but I wasn't expecting big things for it so it's not too much of a blow. This is the 3rd contest in a row where I'd genuinely been expecting to DNQ so it's definitely my turn for it to happen!

Massively looking forward to this later on tonight. I just love seeing the scenery of all the countries you don't see very often. Makes me really wish I'd taken time out to do something like this myself before I got tied into working life

Sad to see Shakespear's Sister DNQ - I already knew and liked the track from its release, I think it's a really nice addition to their catalogue

I know that Staples Singers track pretty well and I've never once thought it was like Express Yourself, albeit I can kind of hear similarities when I'm listening now with that intent... but I definitely don't think the two are similar enough to justify legal proceedings. I really enjoy both tracks (and indeed Born This Way for that matter) so if there is a line of inspiration then it is certainly a good one! Even as a kid who was quite into PWL songs, I never liked Sealed with a Kiss and I thought his album was pretty poor aside from a few key songs. Although I was pleased when something knocked that awful Ferry Cross the Mersey thing off the top, the charity aspect passed me by entirely as a kid and I just thought it simply a rubbish song! Quite enjoy that Donna Summer track, and I don't mind the Natalie Cole one either - even if it is a bit cheesy. But, like others, the clear highlight of the past few weeks is Manchild which is brilliant, and really good to see something with that sound doing well amongst all the pure pop. edit - oh and of course Sweet Child o' Mine is also fantastic, a genuine classic of its genre

^^ That's similar to how I'm feeling about it all. It's all just so depressing, the shift in power over the past decade has been torturous to watch

I really hope they don't mess this release up as it's a huge chance for her. The only downside about this choice is that I feel it has the potential to become a long runner that overshadows any single treatment for Garden Of Eden or Zombieboy

Some amazing names in that remix tracklisting, really excited to hear this now

I’d Rather Be Your Lover. At the time it was one of the more immediate tracks for me, but it hasn’t aged well and just feels a bit clunky now

I wasn't a fan of the opening episode but this was a big step up, I really enjoyed it and it made me laugh quite a few times too. The part where they became cartoons was well done and I loved the fan part too, both felt like things I hadn't seen before in the show which was really refreshing. Belinda has been great so far, I love that she hasn't been afraid to call him out on things like taking her DNA without consent and, so far at least, she feels like the perfect companion.

This has grown on me a lot since the release, the singles that I wasn't fussed on suddenly seem quite lovely within the album. I agree about the vinyl too, it's a very lovely thing indeed <3

Snap reference! 😆

My vote's in and you know its destination... hopefully it's a one way ticket to a winning situation

I totally get the Janet era comparison that Liam made, it's absolutely got that vibe to it and that of course means I'm on board. I've been listening to her other stuff and, whilst it seems pretty decent, this is definitely my favourite of the bunch. Love how subtle the production is, the way it just twinkles and shimmies through the track, yet still casually builds towards a climax that feels different to where it began.

I loved it and it’s probably my favourite version of the track, it just took me about 20 years to realise where the production was lifted from

DJ Shadow and Rob Dougan both making your best of the week, excellent taste! I really like the album You Can’t Go Home Again is lifted from, you should try it if you don’t already know it. I may have mentioned this before but Clubbed to Death sort of made the top 5 in the form of the 1997 mix of You Got The Love. I had no idea at the time but when you hear them it’s so obvious it’s the same track at the heart of them.

I’m the opposite, these days I think Spice Up Your Life may actually be my favourite Spice Girls song. I’m with you on Sash! though, Stay wasn’t something I was mad on. Have listened to it again from the TOTP performance and I still think it’s just okay.

In my excitement at the arrival of the true icons of 1989, I forgot to swoon at Lullaby which is a wonderful record and heralded the arrival of their best album. I also quite like Beds are Burning too, but not to the extent of Lullaby or Requiem. The Kylie song is okay I guess, not a particular favourite though.

I absolutely love On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the full version is epic and something I still listen to pretty regularly.

*summoned* This has all passed me by if I'm honest, will be taking a listen though and appreciate the tag to get me listening

Sadly not! I don't think I've ever entered one of these, although admittedly this theme is much more up my street now I've seen it

CLEARLY the big news of the past couple of weeks is the arrival of the London Boys! 🤩

I used to really like this album, thought it was a quirky debut for such a young act

I really like All Time Love so I've voted for that. The Artics track wasn't one of my favourites of theirs