Chez Wombat

You haven't given any reasons for your stance though, apart from quite a sweeping statement that this is just Buzzjack hating on Ed Sheeran when this goes much deeper than that. In a discussion, viewpoints are challenged and if you're not willing to engage when having a viewpoint that differs from the majority, then maybe think about whether you should say it.

It's not anti-semetic to advocate for innocent Palestinians caught in the crossfire, it's always framed that way by Israel and the media as it'll turn their heads away from them actually commiting a genocide. You could maybe argue that Bob Vylan overstepped the mark slightly at Glastonbury, but Macklemore did nothing of the sort, it was pretty tame by comparison. I'm not surprised by Ed/his team's response - it would ruin his bland, family-friendly, marketable image, but it is hugely disappointing that we are still in a place where wanting to stop a genocide is still seen as 'controversial'. I am pleased to see others pulling out after it though.

Need U & Waiting All Night are both pretty decent (fell victim to Kiss FM overplay so I had to avoid them for a bit), but in both cases, I just find they pale in comparison to their best work, one we've already seen and the other which we'll see next year x I quite like the drama and strong vocals of Love Me Again, though everything he did after was pretty rubbish. I have to appreciate Animals for being to this date, the last (almost) fully instrumental number 1 (I hope I've not forgotten anything) in an era where they were extremely rare, it's very of it's time and his work after it was pretty sub-standard, but have always enjoyed it and was another club anthem at uni. We Can't Stop was definitely a significant, year-defining song and marked a huge watershed moment for Miley Cyrus as an artist a bit like similar pop girls like Christina and Britney a decade earlier though this one a bit more overt, ultimately it was by far for the better and she'd produce some great work, but I've never really liked it much as a song though even outside of all the discourse and the MTV performance etc., it's a bit too plodding and her voice a bit strained. I do think her next one to come is much, much better though. Get Up (Rattle) has a pretty iconic video and while I generally did not like these rent-a-rappers shouting all over a popular dance instrumental which seemed to become a thing briefly (more on that next year x), I didn't think this one is too bad and it's a good bit of disposable fun while it's on. There's another similar one week wonder that feels a bit forgotten that I'm surprised is still to come but pleased to see it as it's one I've always really liked.

I thought I'd have to go looking for this theme, but have a track that fits perfectly that I've been sitting on for a while!

I think Black or White's my favourite to come so far, it's not up there with the likes of Billie Jean and Smooth Criminal, but still a great song and probably the best thing he did in what was a pretty dismal decade for him musically. The video's a lot of fun, as bloated and over the top as they always were, and the effects at the end with the changing people still look very impressive for 1991 (though they do creep me out a bit x) Both The One and Only and The Shoop Shoop Song are very cheesy, but pretty hard to dislike and they'd probably rank around the same for me. Not that keen on anything else, I do greatly appreciate Iron Maiden for getting a January number 1 through some smart tactics and full on rock, let alone metal, number 1s are so rare overall, but it's a shame it wasn't Run for the Hills or Number of the Beast.

Kate Bush is a fantastic choice <3

Oh my gosh at all the 80s retro synth bands in the groups (and then Vengaboys just casually there too x), that looks a bloodbath, Females also has much more artists I'm already a fan of than last time too, can see how these two filled up quick x Anticipating Bre's amnesia to kick off at one of these choices...

I got my second choice and I've had to alter my expectations down a bit as I'm certainly not doing as well as last time, but I'm very excited to share them nonetheless! I figured someone might have been after my first choice, I've immediately got my suspicions given I think there's only a few potential participants this could be x

Thunder Bae was just outside my votes, I did prefer the one in PFSC, but this one was also quite interesting too. Not the best week for her for song contest results oops x All my votes qualified! Coupled with the surprise Q for me, that's a great night's results, if Semi 2's as good as people were saying, then this could be a tough final x

Oh I didn’t expect Aesthetica to DNQ, that seemed like it could do OK and only just missed my votes. New Helvetica were an essential though <3 Lankum continue to be a fantastic band

Oh my gosh, what?! I didn't think there was any way for me to qualify from that semi, thank you all for embracing the chaotic normal *. I did quite like Pestola's entry, but less than two minutes is just not enough time!

I did notice the background corresponded to the qualifiers and DNQs, but then Cor Lupus' one was different, if that was an elaborate way to troll Cody, then top marks x (Beautiful videos too <3) Great qualifiers from Semi 1 so far, not expecting to be one of them this time but you never know etc.

I'm in, I may miss out on my first choice (I saw the thread, but it was hidden when apparently so many of you had already confirmed!), but I'm reasonably sure my back up won't be taken, hopefully not as my third choice was very much an 'OK they'll do' type choice.

The latter half of the alphabet was easier for me as I guess there's rarer alphabet letters so it's easier to narrow down, although I was certain with Y as I just couldn't think of any other song that fit but I see I was one of many that misread the question (I'd have likely never have thought of the real answer as I don't know enough about football to know that) x Should've really got Wet Wet Wet, but I didn't actually know that was the reason they stopped manufacturing it, although I am very proud to get Supersonic, that was a chart hit on my birthday chart so I have that memorised somehow, proud to beat a few of the chart boffins there *. Thank you for this quiz, nine, was very good fun and you certainly put a lot of effort into the working out!

This wasn't the best edition but certainly very diverse, I'm sad I missed the listenthrough here as there were some rather...intriguing choices I'd have liked to have seen the reactions to!

Completely and utterly legit (especially coming from a crypto firm) of course and not something akin to what they are being investigated for, a party for the working people for sure x

This is another case as with the 60s where I love nine of these and aren't very familiar with one! I remember the Serge Gainsbourg song from the retro song contest sounding quite interesting though. I thought that would be number 1 but a fantastic one, Kraftwerk are still an act I need to explore deeper with, but all the songs I know are wonderful including that one, shoutout also to the wonderful double a-side that would top the charts next decade, Computer Love which definitely fit in well with the tech anxiety of the later 70s years. Are Friends Electric is great too, for such an angry, mysterious sounding instrumental and sci-fi lyrics, there's definitely a lot of sadness in there too and indeed makes a lot of sense from an Autistic person. 1979 felt like a year that really ushered the innovative experimentation that would continue into the new decade, as well as being full of classic chart hits. So it's great to see some representation from there like Heart of Glass & Another Brick In The Wall Part 2. Wuthering Heights is one I associate strongly with my A Levels as I was studying the book at the time, a wonderful song and incredible debut, I prefer the Hounds of Love era, but this is my overall favourite song from her. I think the one here I don't think I knew you liked as much was Don't Fear The Reaper but a great choice! My rough top 10 is below, most of yours that aren't here would be just outside (I'd have Heroes over Life on Mars but obviously love both): 01. Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights 02. David Bowie - Heroes 03. Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 04. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven 05. Lou Reed - Perfect Day 06. Electric Light Orchestra - Mr Blue Sky 07. Blondie - Heart of Glass 08. The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star 09. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 10. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (11. Donna Summer - I Feel Love 12. Goblin - Suspiria 13. Boston - More Than a Feeling 14. The Clash - London Calling 15. Kraftwerk - The Model) Gosh that was hard to limit to 10, might have to expand going forward x

Fair enough, I knew it didn't quite fit as they just deleted it for overexposure and it wasn't anywhere near Bryan Adams, but I just couldn't think of another one that fit that one so I'm intrigued what it is! Go is pretty damn obvious in retrospect should've got that one x

Oh blast, I misread the wiki column for the US hits for The Cranberries as the UK one and assumed Linger peaked at 8 (I knew Zombie missed the top 10 but wasn't sure Linger did), I actually had that one damn x Billy Preston I must've misread somewhere but at least I wasn't the only one! I'd have never have actually got that answer as I didn't know the album chart was included too. At least I got Duncan Laurence (and got my spelling right jeez!)

I've got a soft spot for Under Control mainly because of uni memories, I do agree it's quite generic and feels of it's time, I do think Hurts do a good lead vocal though. I really loved Ellie's first two albums and was happy that she got a number 1, but Burn was a disappointing sellout following that and her material sadly continued to sound more and more pedestrian since. Happy is one of the songs that's very marmite and I can definitely see why people don't like it, but I personally do think it has a very nice charm to it, it's quite brilliantly conceived really as it's hard to hate someone just being happy and it's rare you have a song that's so innocent and pure. A lot of Avicii's work hits very differently after he died as a lot of them have quite a tragic, poignant tone, even if he didn't actually write this one, it certainly fits in with his theme. It got extremely overplayed at the time and I wasn't a huge fan of Avicii's country direction he went in, but I have grown to appreciate it a bit more now.

omg I was not expecting this so soon

01. Nadah El Shazly – Ghorzetein (uhsting) - 107 02. O FUTURE – I Forgive You (leww) - 95 03. Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) – Sympathize (matto) - 92 04. Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide (Nine ¾) - 89 05. 10cc - Une Nuit A Paris (King Rollo) - 88 06. Ashnikko – Liquid (Lindsey) - 87 07. Army of Lovers – Israelism (Mango) - 83 08. The Real Group – Chili Con Carne (gooddelta) - 82 09 Goldielocks – Provocateur (Lee_J11) - 74 (Same votes, same 12s/10s, 1 8) 10. HMLTD – Stained (Jaz13Music) - 74 11. Natalia Lafourcade – Azul (Chez Wombat) - 73 12. Daniela Lalita – Pisoteo (Juan Carlos) - 72 13. Ennaria – UGLY (Bror) - 67 14. Purity Ring – imanocean (Jimwatts) - 66 15. CHARLOT - Time Travelling (WoW73) - 64 16. Janet Jackson - What About (vibe) - 62 17. Suki Waterhouse – Back In Love (awardinary) - 55 (11 Votes) 18. JMSN - Soft Spot (Addy!) - 55 (10 Votes, 1 12) 19. QT – Hey QT (Dobbo) - 55 20. Thunder Bae – ARCHANGEL (Jade) - 53 21. Lido Pimienta – Marea (RobBot) - 52 22. Ruusut - Yhen Toisen (Pavi) - 51 23. Indiana – Smoking Gun (HarryInnanen) - 50 24. Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free (Cody) - 49 25. Cher - You Better Sit Down Kids (Spiceboy) - 43 (9 votes) 26. My Brightest Diamond – Pressure (Julian_) - 43 (8 votes) 27. Black Boboi – Red Mind (CowTzy) - 46 28. FiFi ZHANG and dazegxd - Fallen Angel (AllStarbySmashMouth) - 36 29. Mulaa Joans – Members Only (DaTilt) - 23 30. Æ MAK – Let’s Do It (Tafty) - 13 31. Lisa Mitchell – Coin Laundry (Herbs) - 12 32. Diet Cig – Scene Sick (Scene) - 7 -x- I really must go to bed (sorry, I'm so bad at time management when hosting these!) but obviously thrilled with my 12 winning and a really inspired top 3, plus Natalia getting a much better deal than she did in Worldvision, ending on a 12 is glorious *.

31. Awardinary - Suki Waterhouse - Back in Love Again Wardy initially sent a 90s eurodance-bubblegum song about a pink dinosaur (which would've gone quite well with the eccentric lyricism of Chili Con Carne but alas x) but he instead goes with the single from actress and singer Suki Waterhouse's third album, another BJSC former artist, this is a catchy, layered jazz-pop sound and if you want a very detailed review, have a look at this as it can cover pretty much everything: https://atwoodmagazine.com/swblv-suki-waterhouse-back-in-love-song-review/ 32. CowTzy - Black Boboi – Red Mind Last song in the running order was fittingly the last voter, Cow certainly gets a gold star for fitting the theme here with this very unusual drum'n'bass and steel drum infused pop-trip hop/techno/ambient mash up from a Japanese alternative pop girl group which use exotic instrumentals, quirky vocals and moody ambient, evolving atmospheres all of which are present here. Their music uses fictional sci-fi narratives as a creative canvas to explore complex human emotions and thoughts.The name “Black Boboi” is “a made-up magical word” the members chose shortly after coming together, though they eventually discovered a Malaysian cartoon character called “BoBoiBoy.” Deserved to do a lot better x 107; Nadah El Shazly – Ghorzetein (uhsting) 95; O FUTURE – I Forgive You (leww) 92; Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) – Sympathize (matto) 89; Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide (Nine ¾) 88; 10cc - Une Nuit A Paris (King Rollo) 87; Ashnikko – Liquid (Lindsey) 83; Army of Lovers – Israelism (Mango) 82; The Real Group – Chili Con Carne (gooddelta) 74; HMLTD – Stained (Jaz13Music) 74; Goldielocks – Provocateur (Lee_J11) 73; Natalia Lafourcade – Azul (Chez Wombat) 72; Daniela Lalita – Pisoteo (Juan Carlos) 67; Ennaria – UGLY (Bror) 66; Purity Ring – imanocean (Jimwatts) 64; CHARLOT - Time Travelling (WoW73) 62; Janet Jackson - What About (vibe) 55; Suki Waterhouse – Back In Love (awardinary) 55; QT – Hey QT (Dobbo) 55; JMSN - Soft Spot (Addy!) 53; Thunder Bae – ARCHANGEL (Jade) 52; Lido Pimienta – Marea (RobBot) 51; Ruusut - Yhen Toisen (Pavi) 50; Indiana – Smoking Gun (HarryInnanen) 49; Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free (Cody) 43; Cher - You Better Sit Down Kids (Spiceboy) 43; My Brightest Diamond – Pressure (Julian_) 41; Black Boboi – Red Mind (CowTzy) 36; FiFi ZHANG and dazegxd - Fallen Angel (AllStarbySmashMouth) 23; Mulaa Joans – Members Only (DaTilt) 13; Æ MAK – Let’s Do It (Tafty) 12; Lisa Mitchell – Coin Laundry (Herbs) 07; Diet Cig – Scene Sick (Scene) In the end, managing a fairly comfortable lead, the master of art pop fittingly reigns supreme, congratulations @uhsting ! Full scoreboard coming in a second x

Don't die on me guys, it's not midnight yet x

Guest Vote: Viper* 98; Nadah El Shazly – Ghorzetein (uhsting) 94; O FUTURE – I Forgive You (leww) 89; Ane Brun - Don't Run And Hide (Nine ¾) 87; Ashnikko – Liquid (Lindsey) 81; 10cc - Une Nuit A Paris (King Rollo) 78; Mary Ocher (feat. Your Government) – Sympathize (matto) 72; The Real Group – Chili Con Carne (gooddelta) 71; Army of Lovers – Israelism (Mango) 70; HMLTD – Stained (Jaz13Music) 68; Goldielocks – Provocateur (Lee_J11) 64; Purity Ring – imanocean (Jimwatts) 64; CHARLOT - Time Travelling (WoW73) 61; Janet Jackson - What About (vibe) 61; Natalia Lafourcade – Azul (Chez Wombat) 59; Ennaria – UGLY (Bror) 57; Daniela Lalita – Pisoteo (Juan Carlos) 55; Suki Waterhouse – Back In Love 55; QT – Hey QT (Dobbo) 55; JMSN - Soft Spot (Addy!) 53; Thunder Bae – ARCHANGEL (Jade) 51; Ruusut - Yhen Toisen (Pavi) 50; Lido Pimienta – Marea (RobBot) 50; Indiana – Smoking Gun (HarryInnanen) 44; Morgana - Fix Your Heart For Free (Cody) 43; Cher - You Better Sit Down Kids (Spiceboy) 41; Black Boboi – Red Mind 36; FiFi ZHANG and dazegxd - Fallen Angel (AllStarbySmashMouth) 35; My Brightest Diamond – Pressure (Julian_) 23; Mulaa Joans – Members Only (DaTilt) 13; Æ MAK – Let’s Do It (Tafty) 12; Lisa Mitchell – Coin Laundry (Herbs) 07; Diet Cig – Scene Sick (Scene) So Viper voted just before the last two votes came in and he does shake things up slightly as O Future starts to recover, as well as being a star for ending my drought. Any of the top 6 can still realistically win and there are certainly points that will go to them, but which way will it go? A cow and a ward are our deciders x