| This |
Tot
wks |
| Peak |
| Number One |
| 1
| 11
| |
1
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|
Well, she's back. Her fourth number one hit in a 33 year career is one of the strangest tracks I've ever heard a 50-year-old make. With almost all the vocals filtered through a Vocoder, this could be a Dalek singing. It was interesting for a few weeks, but then turned into a totally unbearable track. But it becomes the first single to win two consecutive months since Puff Daddy's "I'll be Missing You" in July and August 1997.
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| Single Of The Month |
| 2
| 5
| |
1
|
|
The (count 'em!) 9th release from the Spices, and the first to be created without Geri Halliwell in the band. There was a massive promo push behind this single, with the four girls appearing across the day on the largest radio station in the land, and another great video. Yet the single didn't need it; hitting the fab 40 before release is a rare event, and it rocketed to the top of the weekly survey when it did come out. A Sure Fire Massive Hit.
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| 3
| 8
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| HEARTBEAT / TRAGEDY
| Step One / A Message To You (va)
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| Steps
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2
|
|
A curious double A-sided single. On one, an uptempo ballad from the band's debut album, not a cover of the Buddy Holly number popularised by the piss-poor British drama. On the other, a cover of the Bee Gees number, from the recent tribute album. Both are attracting airplay, both will feature for some time to come.
|
| 4
| 8
|
| WHEN YOU'RE GONE
| On a Day Like Today
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| Bryan Adams & Mel C
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3
|
|
Two of the acts who have the longest runs at #1 during the 90s combine to make a bog-standard rockout track. Vocals are provided by Spice Girl Chisholm (Sporty).
|
| Sureshot |
| 5
| 5
|
| BIG BIG WORLD
| Big Big World
|
| Emelia
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5
|
|
A simple, nursery-rhyme tale of a spurning lover and a girl being thrust into independence. Sickly, but irresistable.
|
| Sureshot |
| 6
| 5
|
| HARD KNOCK LIFE (GHETTO ANTHEM)
| Volume 2: Hard Knock Life
|
| Jay-Z
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2
|
|
After collaberating on more rap projects than anyone else - seven UK hits in the past two years alone - Jay-Z gets the breakthrough here. The hook is a snatch from the stage musical "Annie", all about how hard life is when you're an annoying whiney little brat with a mangey flea-bitten mutt (or something). The rest of the track is the vitriolic rap one can almost expect from this genre. However, it is pulled off with a lot more style and verve than other exponents, and looks set to annoy music teachers for the next few months. For that alone, we commend it.
|
| 7
| 8
|
| NO REGRETS
| I've Been Expecting You
|
| Robbie Williams
|
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4
|
|
Hit song number two from this album features uncredited appearances from Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys - having his biggest hit since 1993's "Go West", and Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy with his highest score ever. It's the obvious Second Single, a swooping, soaring ballad that apologises for nothing. Maybe not as anthemic as "Angels", his Christmas release of last year that stretched well into the summer, but a sizy tune nevertheless.
|
| 8
| 6
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| I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE ME
| Where We Belong
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| Boyzone
|
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2
|
|
Back to their own work after the monster hit that was "No Matter What". You don't enter at #2 from nothing, but this isn't going to be in the decade's premier league. Indeed, it may fail to find an audience beyond their core pre-teens.
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| 9
| 6
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| MIAMI
| Big Willie Style
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| Will Smith
|
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6
|
|
The third release of the year is about his home city. Gosh, no-one's ever recorded anything on that topic before, have they?
|
| Sureshot |
| 10
| 4
|
| END OF THE LINE
| Wonder #8
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| Honeyz
|
|
3
|
|
The second wonderful slice of R&B from this foursome. The words "gorgeous", "sweet" and "fab" spring to mind.
|
| 11
| 17
|
| I DON'T WANNA MISS A THING
| Armageddon OST |
| Aerosmith
|
|
1
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| Finally bringing Aerosmith's wait for a British number one to an end, beating their #12 team best from "Love in an Elevator". It's the standout track from a hit-packed soundtrack, and further proof that Tyler and co can really make the great ballads. Written, of course, from the golden pen of Diane Warren (see: Leann Rimes' Hit, Toni Braxton's Dance Hit, Celine's Other Movie Hit...)
|
| 12
| 7
|
| SO YOUNG
| Talk on Corners |
| Coors
|
|
5
|
|
The third hit single from the Irish group's second album. This one has another slight dance remix: K-Klass are responsible for this one. While an attractive song, with soaring vocals, it would be nice if it were left to stand on its own merits.
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| 13
| 4
|
| TO YOU I BELONG
| B*Witched
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| B*Witched
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2
|
|
The third hit in six months for the Irish four-piece just misses out on the top of the chart. Only six acts have gone to #1 with their first three releases, most recently the Spice Girls at Christmas 96. Given the shoo-in for the original Fab Four in the Christmas chart, B*Witched missed their best chance for the top with this sultry ballad, which sounds a lot like the "Titanic" soundtrack, after it debuted at 2.
|
| 14
| 6
|
| THE POWER OF GOODBYE
| Frozen
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| Madonna
|
|
7
|
|
One knows where one is with Ms Ciccone. Talking about a 40-year old lass who has pulled off her best album in a Yonk with this one. Single 4 is the emotional ballad that she's pulled off previously. This track reminds me a little of her crowning achievement, "Live to Tell". It's also her sixth top 10 single in seven releases, and 43rd from 45 singles stretching back to 1984's "Like a Virgin".
|
| Sureshot |
| 15
| 3
|
| CHOCOLATE SALTED BALLS
| Chef Aid
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| Chef
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2
|
|
If it's from the "South Park" album, it must be incredibly toffee-nosed, completely correct down to the last P and Q. Well, maybe. This is a song that eschews the double entendres traditional in Christmas entertainments, and substitutes single entendres. But it is rather a good tune that bears plenty of listens, which distinguishes it from many comedy tracks. Chef is, of course, soul singer Issac Hayes, whose biggest hit before now was the "Theme from Shaft", a Number 4 hit in 1972.
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| 16
| 13
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| THE SWEETEST THING
| Greatest Hits 1980-89
|
| U2
|
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4
|
|
Originally the B-side to 1988's "Where the Streets Have No Name", this is re-recorded, re-made and released as an A-side. And it's really rather good, a complete contrast to their recent experimental work.
|
| Sureshot |
| 17
| 10
|
| I WANT YOU
| Savage Garden
|
| Savage Garden
|
|
11
|
|
Here's an oddity. Back in June 97, Savage Garden's worldwide hit landed on these shores, and scooted up to #11. It looked as though they were starting on a long hitmaking career. But it was a false dawn; "To The Moon and Back" failed to dent the top 50, and it wasn't until ten weeks on release that "Truly Madly Deeply" hit the top slot. Since then, though, it has been one-way traffic for the duo. This completes the loop, and re-entered at #12.
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| 18
| 15
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| OUTSIDE
| Ladies And Gentlemen the best of
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| George Michael
|
|
2
|
|
The first of three threatened tracks of his singles collection released as part of his agreement to leave Sony records. It's based around his experiences in a park last April, and features a TFM (Middlesborough) newsreader buried deep in the mix. It's a lot like "Fastlove", only without the "Forget-Me-Nots" sample on the end. Or the darned quality.
|
| Sureshot |
| 19
| 4
|
| ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL
| Flowers
|
| Ace of Base
|
|
14
|
|
The third single from the album is one of the best; a funky, Motown-lite singalong that recalls their greatest moment, "The Sign".
|
| 20
| 7
| |
8
|
|
Rhythm track plus female vocal and a huge dollop of luck turns into a top 10 hit, for a reason that will never be adequately explored.
|
| 21
| 7
|
| I'M YOUR ANGEL
| R
|
| R Kelly and Celine Dion
|
|
4
|
|
From R Kelly's album of duets (well, that's what it feels like) comes a song that's passable, but nothing to really write home about. A platform for the two vocalists to play off each other, but they seem to play against each other. Shame.
|
| 22
| 4
|
| DUMB
| Quench
|
| Beautiful South
|
|
8
|
|
Second single from the album, a weaker track than "Perfect Ten". It seems that the South produce just one outstanding track per album. This is not it.
|
| Sureshot |
| 23
| 5
|
| TAKE ME THERE
| Rugrats OST
|
| Blackstreet / Mya / Ma$e / Blinky Blink
|
|
10
|
|
The lead track from the Rugrats movie, released in the UK next March. It works from the music-box theme of the hit Klasky-Csupo cartoon, adding a rap about the characters.
|
| 24
| 4
|
| WHEN YOU BELIEVE
| Prince of Egypt OST
|
| Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey
|
|
13
|
|
The combination of two of the greatest balladeers in the past 15 years is a real disappointment. It's overblown, oversung, and has the pair singing around each others weak spots, rather than concentrating on their strengths. It's also underperforming across the board, as is the movie, described as "Indiana Moses". Now, where'd I leave my Summer/Streisand duets..?
|
| 25
| 4
|
| SHE WANTS YOU
| Honey to the B
|
| Billie
|
|
14
|
|
Oh, does she have to? This is just a pile of stuff we've heard before.
|
| 26
| 12
|
| THANK YOU
| Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
|
| Alanis Morissette
|
|
5
|
|
She's back, she's wearing no clothes, and nothing much has changed in the three years since her last official release. This is the first list song from the new album; of the 17 tracks, around a dozen are little more than noun strings. This could be the best album George Bush never recorded...
|
| 27
| 5
|
| THE EVERLASTING
| This is My Truth, Tell Me Yours |
| Manic Street Preachers
|
|
14
|
|
A forgettable version of a very immemorable track.
|
| 28
| 3
|
| ESPECIALLY FOR YOU
|
|
| Denise and Johnny
|
|
7
|
|
Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan present the Channel Four breakfast programme, "The Big Breakfast". They re-recorded the ten year old Kylie and Jason duet in one of the most faithful cover versions ever. Profits are going to the BBC's Children in Need charity, inviting comparisons with last year's fundraising single, "Perfect Day". It loses hands down, but betters Van Outen's last single, released as half of "Those 2 Girls" and peaking at #36 in March 95.
|
| 29
| 13
|
| MY FAVOURITE GAME
| Gran Tourismo
|
| Cardigans
|
|
16
|
|
More Super Swedes, this time with their biggest hit since "Lovefool". It's a strange, esoteric mix of sounds that doesn't quite hit any single base, but must hit somewhere to have lasted three months.
|
| 30
| 8
|
| IF YOU BUY THIS RECORD (YOUR LIFE WILL BE BETTER)
|
|
| Tamperer featuring Maya
|
|
2
|
They finally worked out what she'd look like with a chimney on her, then. The purveyors of one of the most stupid lyrics of the year - on a par with "a bosom for a pillow" - return with the first record to legally sample Madonna. In this case, her 1985 hit "Material Girl" forms the back to the obligatory claim that your life will improve if you buy this washing powder. Record. It's one you either love or hate.
|
| November's Single Of The Month |
| 31
| 8
|
| THIS KISS
| Faith (2.99)
|
| Faith Hill
|
|
12
|
|
Finally getting a release, the tune I've been humming almost non-stop for the past six months or so. The video deservedly won best of breed at the CMAs recently, and it's getting non-stop play on the radio.
|
| 32
| 6
|
| UNTIL YOUR TIME IS THROUGH
| Five
|
| Five
|
|
9
|
|
The fifth hit single from this group's debut album, and one that is totally and utterly impossible to remember. Give it five seconds, and you won't remember a single hook from it.
|
| 33
| 5
|
| HAVE YOU EVER
| Never Say Never
|
| Brandy
|
|
31
|
|
A soulful little ballad, that tries its hardest to be another great love song, but just falls short.
|
| 34
| 4
|
| WAR OF NERVES
| All Saints
|
| All Saints
|
|
18
|
|
The fifth single from the album is not going to be remembered as one of their best. Frantic filler for the Christmas shelves are the words springing to mind.
|
| 35
| 3
| |
19
|
|
The second single from the Icelander with the crazy hair who isn't Bjork. It's awfully similar to her breakthrough, "Real Good Time" from the summer, which doesn't bode well for the success of the song. And, sadly, it's not a cover of Taylor Dane's 1990 American hit, which totally underachieved over here.
|
| 36
| 15
|
| PERFECT TEN
| Quench
|
| Beautiful South
|
|
2
|
| Paul Heaton gets all lustful about some womin with a bog-standard body, while Briana Corrigan voices the acerbic responses. They did it before, on "36D" off of "0898", the album before the album before last, but that wasn't a hit. This is, mainly because it's the first new South material in almost two years.
|
| 37
| 4
|
| THE GREATEST LOVE YOU'VE NEVER KNOWN
|
|
| Lutricia McNeil
|
|
21
|
|
Or: the fourth hit from a successful, but now vastly overplayed, formula. The B-side is a cover of "When A Child is Born" that is soulful but not a patch on Marc Oh's dance classic "Tears Don't Lie" from the same source.
|
| 38
| 4
|
| MOVE MANIA
| Life Goes On
|
| Sash! featuring Shannon
|
|
14
|
|
Sash! in Bubble Bursting Shock! After five releases all going top 5, suddenly the run of irrepresibly cheesy Euro-house tunes comes to a juddering halt. The featured vocalist here is a previously known act, the first time he's worked with someone more famous than himself; Shannon has a number of minor hits in the early 80s, peaking with 84's "Sweet Somebody".
|
| 39
| 17
|
| MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WITH YOU
|
|
| Stardust
|
|
2
|
|
There's just no getting rid of this one, is there? Half of Daft Punk plus anonymous vocalist and second keyboard player combine for pile of pants (Kevin Greening) or work of genius (Dr Fox).
|
| 40
| 6
|
| FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN
| Save Tonight
|
| Eagle-Eye Cherry
|
|
13
|
|
Following up one of the year's biggest singles is never easy. Cherry has picked the easy route, releasing a similar song, with the attendant swift drop-off in interest that has to follow.
|