Weaver's UK Music Charts

Weaver's Charts

March 2000

Heavy notice: These charts are not intended as any representation of sales or airplay data on any station. They are merely intended as a guide to the most successful records in the UK at the moment. Unauthorised reproduction in print, electronic, broadcast or other media is not permitted without the consent of the author.
Ps wk TITLE (album)
Act Peak Hon
1 6 AMERICAN PIE (The Next Best Thing OST)
Madonna 1
x3
A long, long time ago, a plane crash killed three rock stars. A paperboy was moved to write a tale covering the next decade or so, and made a record out of it. There have been cover versions of Don McLean's classic in the past, but none of them have stood any sort of comparison to the original. Now the High Priestess of Pop turns her hand to the previously-untouchable for her 50th UK single and (hopefully) 47th Top 10 hit. Critics have savaged the recording, which takes only the opening stanza, second and final verses but only drops two minutes from Don's running time. For my money, this is as good a remake as we're ever likely to have, but it's still a pale shadow of the orignial.
2 7 PURE SHORES (The Beach OST)
All Saints 1x2 SS
The biggest individual weekly sale of the year so far doesn't go to new Oasis but to new Saints. This is a quiet, contemplative number that bears all the hallmarks of producer William Orbit. It's the first new material from the Saints since 1998, and becomes their third number one, following "Never Ever" and "Under the Bridge / Lady Marmalade" earlier that year.
3 7 BYE BYE BYE
N'Sync 3 SS
With only one major hit to their credit, almost a year ago, the Sync needed another breakthrough to be taken seriously in the UK. This was the barnstorming track to do the trick. It reminds of such recent upbeat power pop classics such as "Larger Than Life" and "Keep On Moving", and is deservedly as massive a hit.
4 10 SHOW ME THE MEANING OF BEING LONELY (Millennium)
Backstreet Boys 2
This one's a soft ballad, but with the usual power pop punch we've come to associate with the band. It's come in for a lot of critical stick, primarily for not being "Larger Than Life"; comparisons between the two records may be too similar to chalk and cheese. Much more similar is Tina Turner's 1995 Bond theme "Goldeneye"; both records share the same triple chord stab.
5 30 SMOOTH (Supernatural)
Santana feat Rob Thomas 1
x1 Mar
Rob is the vocalist from Matchbox 20, joining the rest of Carlos' group on a laid-back but still charged hit. America knows this is great; it spent a record-cracking twelve (12) weeks on top of the Billboard survey, the longest run since Brandy and Monica in the summer of 98, and just three weeks adrift of Mariah's all-time record. Just for good measure, "Smooth" spent four weeks at the top in Canada and led Santana to nine Grammy awards, including Record and Song of the Year for this track. In the UK, self-proclaimed home of great music, it made #75 on this sales chart last October, shifting around 3000 copies. But, just as it was dying Stateside, British radio suddenly leaped on "Smooth" with all the fervour of a new convert, and it began to move back up the listings ahead of a re-release. That moved forward from April to March 20, as the song was belatedly added to airplay lists across the country. On release, the track improved to #3 sales, #1 with airplay.
6 6 ALL THE SMALL THINGS (Enema Of the State)
Blink 182 2 SS
The Blinksters establish themselves in the UK with this catchy single. The video spoofs the Backstreet Boys, Aggielera and Birtney, while the track itself is a hugely catchy upbeat number. It's not representative of their fast punk style, but it's a great hit.
7 4 DON'T GIVE UP
Chicane featuring Bryan Adams 3
Though never the most consistent of hitmakers, Chicane have had their moments, most notably late 96's classy instrumental "Offshore". The Manchester duo also turned their hand to remixing, working on Bryan Adams' hit "Cloud #9" last year. Now the Too Far Gone From The Too Far West returns the favour, adding some half-strangled vocals to a plodding tune. Of course the public likes this; one should never underestimate the lack of taste that clubbing inspires. This will have only one minor footnote in rock history: the record that brought Bryan Adams back to the top of the sales chart after that movie song.
8 4 SITTING DOWN HERE (Playing My Game)
Lene Martin 6 SS
The debut single for a young Norwegian songwriter-with-a-guitar has turned into a massive hit. If she can do it, how come the technically similar (if slightly superior) Jewel has never managed it?
9 6 MOVING TOO FAST
Artful Dodger 4
Even before "Rewind" had left the 40, Dodger was back with a second hit. This is more tinkly and laid-back than the previous effort, capped with a restrained female vocal. It's still not up to much, though.
10 13 WHAT A GIRL WANTS (Christina Aguilera)
Christina Aguilera 3
Single two is clearly a dance number, and shocked many people by hitting the US top spot for a fortnight. It shocked almost as many by failing to rise above #3 in the UK.
11 3 BAG IT UP (Schizophonic)
Geri Haliwell 5 SS
Single four from her debut album was promoted by an appearance at the Brit awards just before release: emerging from the middle of a pair of giants legs, Haliwell cavorted with some scantily-clad (male) dancers. The thrust of the video is that men require taming and shouldn't be trusted in the slightest. This becomes Halibut's smallest hit, scraping a place in the weekly top 5 in spite of topping the UK sales tally for a single week.
12 2 NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN (Northern Star)
Mel C featuring Lisa Lopez 1
x1
The Tony Slattery of TLC makes her second guest appearance on a massive hit, following her work with Donell Jones in January. This is a satisfying confection of pop and soul, but isn't at all a filling. It's not a patch on the minor (#55 in 1989) Danny Wilson hit of the same name.
13 10 RISE (Rise)
Gabrielle 1x1 SS
The second single lifted from Gaby's third album becomes her second track to top the weekly sales lists. Like her breakout hit, 1993's "Dreams", this is a soft soul track, based on a classic sample. Then, it was Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car"; now, it's Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door". This is the first time that the patron saint of folk rockers has allowed his work to be sampled, and marks the third time in the last decade that a variant of the tune has ridden high in the UK. Back in 1992, Guns & Roses took their metal cover to #2. A variant of the song with changed lyrics hit the top in 1996, and is generally regarded as the most crass chart-topper of the decade.
14 26 I TRY (On How Life Is)
Macy Gray 5 Oct
Where Lauryn Hill has picked up flak for being too rich to have been miseducated, Macy appears to be the real item. She sounds like R&B diva Hill after a few too many ciggies - though her voice is entirely natural - and has come out with an absolute belter of a track. If you've never heard it, do so at once; if you've turned it off halfway through because it's going nowhere, go back and listen to it in full. The song projects a big city, late at night, and received hyper-enthusiastic airplay on London's breakfast show. It also set eyebrows aflame on the UK sales chart, for daring to climb up the chart for seven consecutive weeks. Such is the abuse of the sales list by record companies that no record has managed this trick since Celine Dion in 1994-5. Just to confuse matters further, this track has been making an upswing owing to new success in foreign markets, spending a week leading the Canadian pack.
15 7 MARIA MARIA (Supernatural)
Santana 13 NB
Vocals this time from Wyclef Jean, under the name "The Product". This is more of a showcase for Carlos Santana's languid guitar skills than the frenetic "Smooth", and would sound utterly wonderful on a hot summer's afternoon with a cool breeze and cool drink to hand. UK release is very provisionally scheduled for July, when we'll be in the height of the rainy season. Six weeks on top of the World Chart, two in Canada, one in the US.
16 3 SAY MY NAME (The Writing's On the Wall)
Destiny's Child 3
Third UK release, second in the States, a typical Child number. Well-structured soul vocals, but surely they're capable of more than this. Three weeks as the US #1, one in Canada.
17 4 SHALALA LALA (The Platinum Album)
Vengaboys 10
A new year, a new album, a new gimmick - clapping. Same old song, though. Some suggest that this track marked the beginning of a cross-over for the Vengas, moving beyond their regular market into more general sales; the evidence for this is thin, though.
18 11 BORN TO MAKE YOU HAPPY (...Baby One More Time)
Britney Spears 1x2 SS
Single four from the former Mouseketeer is another upbeat, poppy track, with slightly dodgy lyrics. Shifting 91,000 copies first week out was enough to give it the sales #1 that week, and climb from 53 to 5 on the monthly review. It hit the top one week later.
19 2 THE TIME IS NOW
Moloko 5
Returning to their indie-dance roots after the success of last summer's "Sing It Back", Moloko notch up a second smash. This starts out with a serene female vocal over a swirling background, but soon drops into a similar groove to their last hit. It does, though, have something that is less irritating than the previous work.
20 4 SATISFY YOU
Puff Daddy feat R Kelly 11
In one corner, the refrain from the Luniz' aggravatingly ear-wiggy 1996 hit "I Got Five On It". In another corner, the sweet soul vocals of R Kelly, who has been mining one album for singles since then. Add to the mix the rapping talent of Puff Daddy, and bake. The resulting mixture isn't as unpalatable as many from this chef, but is still spoiled slightly by Mr Daddy's involvement.
21 5 MONEY
Jemelia 10 SS
One of the most impressive debut acts at the moment is this Birmingham-based singer, who has quietly put up a great number that hums and sings of its own accord. The critics prefer Kelis, with whom she shared a release date, but there's no doubt where the real talent lies.
22 5 THANK GD I FOUND YOU (Rainbow)
Mariah Carey / 98 Degrees / Joe / Nas 8
The sweet and innocent Mariah song (if any Mariah song can ever be described as sweet) is shot to pieces by the British remixes, which play up the "urban" front and really destroy the track.
23 4 SHE WON'T TAKE IT LYING DOWN (Wonder #8)
Honeys 15
The sixth single lifted from this album is a slightly faster, more upbeat track than its predecessors. The group remains a long way short of Eternal, but then so does Eternal these days.
24 7 BREATHE (Breathe)
Faith Hill 21 NB
Lead single from Faith's latest album looked like it would settle for a minor placing in the US. Then it became available to buy, and rocketed to #3, eclipsing the peak of "This Kiss". A massive UK hit surely follows.
25 3 DON'T WANNA LET YOU GO (Invincible)
Five 9 SS
The third release from their album is the horror track, using the sound of church bells and some spooky effects to create an atmosphere of tension. Through it comes some of the strongest harmonies the group has ever done. It's their smallest seller since their late 97 debut, which is a real shame.
26 2 CRASH AND BURN (Affirmation)
Savage Garden 15 SS
After the tedium of their last record comes this return to barnstorming form. It's as makers of upbeat, almost tribal, records that Savage Garden make their best work. A welcome comeback.
27 2 STILL DRE
Dr Dre / Snoop Dogg 11
There's something about this track that makes it stand out a little from the usual parade of formulaic, bland rap. Probably the backing track.
28 6 CARTOON HEROES (Aquarius)
Aqua 6 SS
When this group mess up, they mess up big time. (Barbie Girl. 'Nuff said.) But when they get it right, they really get it right. This falls into the latter category, with sweeping strings and booming guitar bringing the sensibilities of 50s cartoons back home. And, darn it, this tune is a grower.
29 8 MOVE YOUR BODY (Europop)
Eifell 65 3 SS
The second single from the Eifell boys is almost a carbon copy of their first, with only the most subtle of changes to the lyrics and backing track to differentiate the two.
30 6 NEVER LET YOU GO
Third Eye Blind 22 NB
Which one is this, again?
31 6 TAKE A PICTURE
Filter 15 SS
The mumbled vocals! The annoyingly catchy refrain! The sweeping guitar! Yes, Nirvana are back, and they sound like this. Shame it's only turned into a moderate hit.
32 2 NATURAL BLUES (Play)
Moby 18 SS
The fifth single lifted from the album is, like the others, a strange mix of blues, gospel and techno. It's a project that gets better with every listen.
33 2 MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME (Reload)
Tom Jones and Stereophonics. 14
The third single from his album of duets with contemporary singers is a cover of a track made popular by Three Dog Night in the early 70s. In all honesty, it's a dog of a track, plodding along without converting anyone to the cause. Nor adding to the original arrangement.
34 19 THAT'S THE WAY IT IS (All The Way: A Decade Of Hits)
Celine Dion 8 SS
If we're to believe her, this will be the last release from la Dion for quite some time. For the first time since the re-release of "Misled" in 1995, Celine's charting with an upbeat, bouncy, groovy number. Four weeks on top of the World Singles Survey, and seven days in her native Canada.
35 4 IT FEELS SO GOOD
Sonique 25 NB
Sonique was the singer with S-Express through their period of success, from 88 to 91. Since the group disbanded, she's carved out a small niche as a club and session singer, belting out some great vocals to unappreciative audiences. From nowhere, this track of hers has attracted massive play on US radio, where the single has gone top 15. Re-promotion in the UK, where the track stiffed last year, will follow in the spring.
36 2 STILL (On How Life Is)
Macy Gray 16 SS
The long-delayed third single from Macy - originally rostered for release in January - has turned into a complete flop at sales, squeaking into the top 20 for one week. It's another record that shows The Voice to its full potential, but a number of sales have been driven primarily by a remix of "I Try." The object, though, was to keep the album selling, and it's done that to a T.
37 5 CAUGHT OUT THERE (Kaliedoscope)
Kelis 9
The spectrum of modern R&B covers all bases. At one end is the light touch of the Honeys or Mariah; at the other is Macy Gray and Angie Stone. Somewhere between is this punk-haired lass, who doesn't so much sing as bellow how displeased she is with her former lover. That, sadly, is the only high spot of the track.
38 1 GET IT ON TONITE
Montell Jordan 17
It's not an obvious hit, it's not a massive hit, but it is a subtle, appealing slice of soul. Montell has never quite picked up steam in the UK, but has never released a track with such crossover potential as this one.
39 4 AMAZED (Lonely Grill)
Lonestar 32 NB
Back last summer, this record spent a record-busting eleven weeks on top of the country charts in the US, and made a respectable showing on the overall airplay listings over there. We expected that to be the end of the story, leaving the group without the crossover hit they deserved. Then, just before Christmas, AC radio picked up on the track in a big way. It returned to the listings, obtained a single release, and shot to the top of the Hot 100. The stage is now set for the group to take the UK market by storm; New Country has been hyped as flavour of the year for the past couple of years, but this is the first real chance to prove its value in single terms.
40 1 KILLER
ATB 13
Adamski, 1990, #1. Singer on that track, Seal, 1991, #8. George Michael covered it on his "Five Live" ep, a #1 in 1993, though attention was concentrated on his tracks with Queen. Now the German dance guru has recorded his version of the track. It remains one of the most singularly boring records ever made, never mind the records made and re-made to death. File along with a faithful cover of "Yesterday."
SureShots on yellow, Singles of the Month on red, records Not British hits on green.

Ps	wk	TITLE (album) Act	Peak	Hon
1	6	AMERICAN PIE (The Next Best Thing OST) Madonna	1 x3
A long, long time ago, a plane crash killed three rock stars. A paperboy was moved to write a tale covering the next decade or so, and made a record out of it. There have been cover versions of Don McLean's classic in the past, but none of them have stood any sort of comparison to the original. Now the High Priestess of Pop turns her hand to the previously-untouchable for her 50th UK single and (hopefully) 47th Top 10 hit. Critics have savaged the recording, which takes only the opening stanza, second and final verses but only drops two minutes from Don's running time. For my money, this is as good a remake as we're ever likely to have, but it's still a pale shadow of the orignial.
2	7	PURE SHORES (The Beach OST) All Saints	1x2	SS
The biggest individual weekly sale of the year so far doesn't go to new Oasis but to new Saints. This is a quiet, contemplative number that bears all the hallmarks of producer William Orbit. It's the first new material from the Saints since 1998, and becomes their third number one, following "Never Ever" and "Under the Bridge / Lady Marmalade" earlier that year.
3	7	BYE BYE BYE N'Sync	3	SS
With only one major hit to their credit, almost a year ago, the Sync needed another breakthrough to be taken seriously in the UK. This was the barnstorming track to do the trick. It reminds of such recent upbeat power pop classics such as "Larger Than Life" and "Keep On Moving", and is deservedly as massive a hit.
4	10	SHOW ME THE MEANING OF BEING LONELY (Millennium) Backstreet Boys	2
This one's a soft ballad, but with the usual power pop punch we've come to associate with the band. It's come in for a lot of critical stick, primarily for not being "Larger Than Life"; comparisons between the two records may be too similar to chalk and cheese. Much more similar is Tina Turner's 1995 Bond theme "Goldeneye"; both records share the same triple chord stab.
5	30	SMOOTH (Supernatural) Santana feat Rob Thomas	1 x1	Mar
Rob is the vocalist from Matchbox 20, joining the rest of Carlos' group on a laid-back but still charged hit. America knows this is great; it spent a record-cracking twelve (12) weeks on top of the Billboard survey, the longest run since Brandy and Monica in the summer of 98, and just three weeks adrift of Mariah's all-time record. Just for good measure, "Smooth" spent four weeks at the top in Canada and led Santana to nine Grammy awards, including Record and Song of the Year for this track. In the UK, self-proclaimed home of great music, it made #75 on this sales chart last October, shifting around 3000 copies. But, just as it was dying Stateside, British radio suddenly leaped on "Smooth" with all the fervour of a new convert, and it began to move back up the listings ahead of a re-release. That moved forward from April to March 20, as the song was belatedly added to airplay lists across the country. On release, the track improved to #3 sales, #1 with airplay.
6	6	ALL THE SMALL THINGS (Enema Of the State) Blink 182	2	SS
The Blinksters establish themselves in the UK with this catchy single. The video spoofs the Backstreet Boys, Aggielera and Birtney, while the track itself is a hugely catchy upbeat number. It's not representative of their fast punk style, but it's a great hit.
7	4	DON'T GIVE UP Chicane featuring Bryan Adams	3
Though never the most consistent of hitmakers, Chicane have had their moments, most notably late 96's classy instrumental "Offshore". The Manchester duo also turned their hand to remixing, working on Bryan Adams' hit "Cloud #9" last year. Now the Too Far Gone From The Too Far West returns the favour, adding some half-strangled vocals to a plodding tune. Of course the public likes this; one should never underestimate the lack of taste that clubbing inspires. This will have only one minor footnote in rock history: the record that brought Bryan Adams back to the top of the sales chart after that movie song.
8	4	SITTING DOWN HERE (Playing My Game) Lene Martin	6	SS
The debut single for a young Norwegian songwriter-with-a-guitar has turned into a massive hit. If she can do it, how come the technically similar (if slightly superior) Jewel has never managed it?
9	6	MOVING TOO FAST Artful Dodger	4
Even before "Rewind" had left the 40, Dodger was back with a second hit. This is more tinkly and laid-back than the previous effort, capped with a restrained female vocal. It's still not up to much, though.
10	13	WHAT A GIRL WANTS (Christina Aguilera) Christina Aguilera	3
Single two is clearly a dance number, and shocked many people by hitting the US top spot for a fortnight. It shocked almost as many by failing to rise above #3 in the UK.
11	3	BAG IT UP (Schizophonic) Geri Haliwell	5	SS
Single four from her debut album was promoted by an appearance at the Brit awards just before release: emerging from the middle of a pair of giants legs, Haliwell cavorted with some scantily-clad (male) dancers. The thrust of the video is that men require taming and shouldn't be trusted in the slightest. This becomes Halibut's smallest hit, scraping a place in the weekly top 5 in spite of topping the UK sales tally for a single week.
12	2	NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN (Northern Star) Mel C featuring Lisa Lopez	1 x1
The Tony Slattery of TLC makes her second guest appearance on a massive hit, following her work with Donell Jones in January. This is a satisfying confection of pop and soul, but isn't at all a filling. It's not a patch on the minor (#55 in 1989) Danny Wilson hit of the same name.
13	10	RISE (Rise) Gabrielle	1x1	SS
The second single lifted from Gaby's third album becomes her second track to top the weekly sales lists. Like her breakout hit, 1993's "Dreams", this is a soft soul track, based on a classic sample. Then, it was Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car"; now, it's Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door". This is the first time that the patron saint of folk rockers has allowed his work to be sampled, and marks the third time in the last decade that a variant of the tune has ridden high in the UK. Back in 1992, Guns & Roses took their metal cover to #2. A variant of the song with changed lyrics hit the top in 1996, and is generally regarded as the most crass chart-topper of the decade.
14	26	I TRY (On How Life Is) Macy Gray	5	Oct
Where Lauryn Hill has picked up flak for being too rich to have been miseducated, Macy appears to be the real item. She sounds like R&B diva Hill after a few too many ciggies - though her voice is entirely natural - and has come out with an absolute belter of a track. If you've never heard it, do so at once; if you've turned it off halfway through because it's going nowhere, go back and listen to it in full. The song projects a big city, late at night, and received hyper-enthusiastic airplay on London's breakfast show. It also set eyebrows aflame on the UK sales chart, for daring to climb up the chart for seven consecutive weeks. Such is the abuse of the sales list by record companies that no record has managed this trick since Celine Dion in 1994-5. Just to confuse matters further, this track has been making an upswing owing to new success in foreign markets, spending a week leading the Canadian pack.
15	7	MARIA MARIA (Supernatural) Santana	13	NB
Vocals this time from Wyclef Jean, under the name "The Product". This is more of a showcase for Carlos Santana's languid guitar skills than the frenetic "Smooth", and would sound utterly wonderful on a hot summer's afternoon with a cool breeze and cool drink to hand. UK release is very provisionally scheduled for July, when we'll be in the height of the rainy season. Six weeks on top of the World Chart, two in Canada, one in the US.
16	3	SAY MY NAME (The Writing's On the Wall) Destiny's Child	3
Third UK release, second in the States, a typical Child number. Well-structured soul vocals, but surely they're capable of more than this. Three weeks as the US #1, one in Canada.
17	4	SHALALA LALA (The Platinum Album) Vengaboys	10
A new year, a new album, a new gimmick - clapping. Same old song, though. Some suggest that this track marked the beginning of a cross-over for the Vengas, moving beyond their regular market into more general sales; the evidence for this is thin, though.
18	11	BORN TO MAKE YOU HAPPY (...Baby One More Time) Britney Spears	1x2	SS
Single four from the former Mouseketeer is another upbeat, poppy track, with slightly dodgy lyrics. Shifting 91,000 copies first week out was enough to give it the sales #1 that week, and climb from 53 to 5 on the monthly review. It hit the top one week later.
19	2	THE TIME IS NOW Moloko	5
Returning to their indie-dance roots after the success of last summer's "Sing It Back", Moloko notch up a second smash. This starts out with a serene female vocal over a swirling background, but soon drops into a similar groove to their last hit. It does, though, have something that is less irritating than the previous work.
20	4	SATISFY YOU Puff Daddy feat R Kelly	11
In one corner, the refrain from the Luniz' aggravatingly ear-wiggy 1996 hit "I Got Five On It". In another corner, the sweet soul vocals of R Kelly, who has been mining one album for singles since then. Add to the mix the rapping talent of Puff Daddy, and bake. The resulting mixture isn't as unpalatable as many from this chef, but is still spoiled slightly by Mr Daddy's involvement.
21	5	MONEY Jemelia	10	SS
One of the most impressive debut acts at the moment is this Birmingham-based singer, who has quietly put up a great number that hums and sings of its own accord. The critics prefer Kelis, with whom she shared a release date, but there's no doubt where the real talent lies.
22	5	THANK GD I FOUND YOU (Rainbow) Mariah Carey / 98 Degrees / Joe / Nas	8
The sweet and innocent Mariah song (if any Mariah song can ever be described as sweet) is shot to pieces by the British remixes, which play up the "urban" front and really destroy the track.
23	4	SHE WON'T TAKE IT LYING DOWN (Wonder #8) Honeys	15
The sixth single lifted from this album is a slightly faster, more upbeat track than its predecessors. The group remains a long way short of Eternal, but then so does Eternal these days.
24	7	BREATHE (Breathe) Faith Hill	21	NB
Lead single from Faith's latest album looked like it would settle for a minor placing in the US. Then it became available to buy, and rocketed to #3, eclipsing the peak of "This Kiss". A massive UK hit surely follows.
25	3	DON'T WANNA LET YOU GO (Invincible) Five	9	SS
The third release from their album is the horror track, using the sound of church bells and some spooky effects to create an atmosphere of tension. Through it comes some of the strongest harmonies the group has ever done. It's their smallest seller since their late 97 debut, which is a real shame.
26	2	CRASH AND BURN (Affirmation) Savage Garden	15	SS
After the tedium of their last record comes this return to barnstorming form. It's as makers of upbeat, almost tribal, records that Savage Garden make their best work. A welcome comeback.
27	2	STILL DRE Dr Dre / Snoop Dogg	11
There's something about this track that makes it stand out a little from the usual parade of formulaic, bland rap. Probably the backing track.
28	6	CARTOON HEROES (Aquarius) Aqua	6	SS
When this group mess up, they mess up big time. (Barbie Girl. 'Nuff said.) But when they get it right, they really get it right. This falls into the latter category, with sweeping strings and booming guitar bringing the sensibilities of 50s cartoons back home. And, darn it, this tune is a grower.
29	8	MOVE YOUR BODY (Europop) Eifell 65	3	SS
The second single from the Eifell boys is almost a carbon copy of their first, with only the most subtle of changes to the lyrics and backing track to differentiate the two.
30	6	NEVER LET YOU GO Third Eye Blind	22	NB
Which one is this, again?
31	6	TAKE A PICTURE Filter	15	SS
The mumbled vocals! The annoyingly catchy refrain! The sweeping guitar! Yes, Nirvana are back, and they sound like this. Shame it's only turned into a moderate hit.
32	2	NATURAL BLUES (Play) Moby	18	SS
The fifth single lifted from the album is, like the others, a strange mix of blues, gospel and techno. It's a project that gets better with every listen.
33	2	MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME (Reload) Tom Jones and Stereophonics.	14
The third single from his album of duets with contemporary singers is a cover of a track made popular by Three Dog Night in the early 70s. In all honesty, it's a dog of a track, plodding along without converting anyone to the cause. Nor adding to the original arrangement.
34	19	THAT'S THE WAY IT IS (All The Way: A Decade Of Hits) Celine Dion	8	SS
If we're to believe her, this will be the last release from la Dion for quite some time. For the first time since the re-release of "Misled" in 1995, Celine's charting with an upbeat, bouncy, groovy number. Four weeks on top of the World Singles Survey, and seven days in her native Canada.
35	4	IT FEELS SO GOOD Sonique	25	NB
Sonique was the singer with S-Express through their period of success, from 88 to 91. Since the group disbanded, she's carved out a small niche as a club and session singer, belting out some great vocals to unappreciative audiences. From nowhere, this track of hers has attracted massive play on US radio, where the single has gone top 15. Re-promotion in the UK, where the track stiffed last year, will follow in the spring.
36	2	STILL (On How Life Is) Macy Gray	16	SS
The long-delayed third single from Macy - originally rostered for release in January - has turned into a complete flop at sales, squeaking into the top 20 for one week. It's another record that shows The Voice to its full potential, but a number of sales have been driven primarily by a remix of "I Try." The object, though, was to keep the album selling, and it's done that to a T.
37	5	CAUGHT OUT THERE (Kaliedoscope) Kelis	9
The spectrum of modern R&B covers all bases. At one end is the light touch of the Honeys or Mariah; at the other is Macy Gray and Angie Stone. Somewhere between is this punk-haired lass, who doesn't so much sing as bellow how displeased she is with her former lover. That, sadly, is the only high spot of the track.
38	1	GET IT ON TONITE Montell Jordan	17
It's not an obvious hit, it's not a massive hit, but it is a subtle, appealing slice of soul. Montell has never quite picked up steam in the UK, but has never released a track with such crossover potential as this one.
39	4	AMAZED (Lonely Grill) Lonestar	32	NB
Back last summer, this record spent a record-busting eleven weeks on top of the country charts in the US, and made a respectable showing on the overall airplay listings over there. We expected that to be the end of the story, leaving the group without the crossover hit they deserved. Then, just before Christmas, AC radio picked up on the track in a big way. It returned to the listings, obtained a single release, and shot to the top of the Hot 100. The stage is now set for the group to take the UK market by storm; New Country has been hyped as flavour of the year for the past couple of years, but this is the first real chance to prove its value in single terms.
40	1	KILLER ATB	13
Adamski, 1990, #1. Singer on that track, Seal, 1991, #8. George Michael covered it on his "Five Live" ep, a #1 in 1993, though attention was concentrated on his tracks with Queen. Now the German dance guru has recorded his version of the track. It remains one of the most singularly boring records ever made, never mind the records made and re-made to death. File along with a faithful cover of "Yesterday."

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