40
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Kings of Leon - The Bucket
Artist link: 1  19 20
Yet another song from the inimitable Aha Shake Heartbreak with reference to hair, or rather lack of it. One might think that the Followill boys would be wise to refrain from drawing attention to their tendency towards being folically-challenged, especially as all empirical evidence is to the contrary. However, its clearly playing on their minds. This first single from their second album is probably one of the least explicit, in more ways than one, but also one of the most immediately musically accessible. The verse chords sound fairly familiar, in fact putting one in mind (ever so slightly) of a Belle and Sebastian track, illustrating some interesting tendencies aside the imputed Lynard Skynard-influenced Southern Rock. But Caleb's howling chorus is raw and unexpected. And the song is better for it, elevated from being the predictable, albeit pleasing, toe-tapper it initially threatens to be. Other than that, I think it's about them getting a bit pissed off with each other and the mundanities of touring.
Nelson
No of votes: 11, Score:
80, Highest vote: 1st
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39
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Britney Spears - Everytime
Artist link: 5 17  31  32 39
The third and final single from "In the Zone", "Everytime" was released at the height of Britney's trailer trash, look at me I'm getting married, yay cigarettes, yay alcohol period. Couple her frenzied press coverage with a video starring Stephen Dorff and Britney's death, and you are well on your way to a number 1 single. "Everytime" was a dramatic change of tone from the squelches and crazy hooks of previous single "Toxic". Singing with emotion and fragility, Britney tells of how she misses a lover and wishes she could be forgiven or at least get him out of her head (Justin Timberlake anyone?). It's probably her best ballad, but I doubt it'll be remembered in the annals of pop history as a corker.
Talia K
No of votes: 12, Score:
54, Highest vote: 4th
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38
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Ashlee Simpson - Pieces Of Me
My, has this girl given the bee hive a good kick - there's certainly a buzz surrounding this sister of pop star Jessica. I'm not going to redirect you, but check out the generally glowing review of her album "Autobiography" on amazon.co.uk. Then go check out the polemic on the same album on it's American parent, amazon.com. Now that's what I call a breadth of opinion. Just judging it on its musical merits, it's a polished and catchy piece of American pop with the undercurrent of something darker beneath the jangly guitars. I hope we are spared a follow up documentary on the usually "difficult" second album.
Jason M
No of votes: 12, Score:
59, Highest vote: 2nd
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37
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Snow Patrol - Spitting Games
Artist link: 2
Your first single release off the new album. It's the one your record company hopes will launch you into the stratosphere. No damned bugger buys it. Your second single release. The record company decides it's time for the ballad. It goes top 5. Your career goes into the stratosphere. You release 2 more singles, then the inevitable happens. "Hmm, tell you what, we've got 15000 copies of the first single kicking around the warehouse, shall we try and shift it this time?" Whatever, in my opinion this is STILL the best single off of a great album. And no, I didn't vote for it in 2003 when it first came out.
Jason M
No of votes: 12, Score:
62, Highest vote: 2nd
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36
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Embrace - Gravity
Simultanousley grand and brittle, Gravity brought Embrace back to our attention. Perhaps they hedged their bets a little by taking a Chris Martin penned song. But it was a fine way for a anthemic band to return. Singing songs that fill empty voids and corners, Embrace re-entered the room.
Paul M
No of votes: 12, Score:
67, Highest vote: 1st
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35
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Franz Ferdinand - Matinee
Artist link:2  32
"Sir Terence of Wogan was very proud to be mentioned in a song by beat combo Franz Ferdinand, and I liked the tune too, so much so that I said 'I'll
make it .........blank"
<tum-ti-tum, tum-ti-tum>
"So, let's see what the rabble have got"
Barry Cryer - 'my wife' <bong>
Wendy Craig - 'a matching handbag' <bong>
Gorden Kaye - 'best in show' <bong> "Well, we're getting there"
Lorraine Chase - 'up' <bong>
Kenny Everett - 'anywhere, it's up to you New York New Yorkipoos!' <bong>
(Kenny twists microphone)
Jan Leeming - 'my record of the year! <ding-ding-ding-ding-ding>
Ah, the early 80s. Enduring image. Isn't it?
Andrew S
No of votes: 12, Score:
71, Highest vote: 1st
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34
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The Rasmus - In The Shadows
"Is that a car alarm going off outside?" "No, it's the intro to the surprisingly catchy new single by The Rasmus." So went the conversation up and down the country when In The Shadows first hit the nation's airwaves. Goth-pop has had a bit of a mini-revival of late, what with The Cure coming out of semi-retirement and Evanescence angling for world domination. These four guys from Finland have definitely benefited from being in the right place at the right time, but the follow-up singles weren't quite as memorable, so whether they prove to be more than one hit wonders remains to be seen. In the meantime they've revitalised the market for black hair dye in Helsinki and beyond.
Greg B
No of votes: 12, Score:
71, Highest vote: 1st
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33
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Usher - Yeah
Attitude. I wish I had it sometimes, I've danced to this loads, it was an anthem last year in every dance hall. I discovered dance moves I never thought capable of, I went a bit Michael Jackson...for a brief moment I was one with the 'homies' and I didn't feel stupid because so was everyone else. Thank you Usher, I feel better now.
Lisa S
No of votes: 12, Score:
93, Highest vote: 1st
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31
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Eric Prydz - Call On Me
Notorious both for its gleefully cheesy (bordering on pornographic) video and for reaching number one with the lowest weekly sales in chart history (note - a record since smashed by no less than Elvis), 'Call On Me' is a pretty damn retarded house track based on a snatch of vocal from Stevie Winwood's 'Valerie'. Yet there's something strangely appealling about the way it shamelessly milks the refrain for all it's worth and ignores anything that would detract from the one and only point it has to make - middle 8s are for wusses, right? Winwood obviously liked it too as he was moved to re-record his vocal for the occasion.
Harley R
No of votes: 13, Score:
71, Highest vote: 1st
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Thanks go to the following people for assisting with getting together our comprehensive aide-memoire: Danny G, Paul M, Kat B, Greg B, Jon B, Caz T
A MASSIVE THANKS also to all those who slaved over a hot keyboard to produce the write ups: Danny G, Paul M, Kat B, Andrew S, Isaac H, P Shoo, Jon B, Liza H, Derek K, Harley R, Karen G, Spencer G, Emyr I, Greg B, Claire J, Lisa S, Nelson, Veronica S, Kaz, Talia K, Emi H
