Top 50 Singles of 2001

My thoughts (somewhat truncated from last year)

So there we go then. Kylie ran away with it from the start, and no-one was ever going to get close. Makes a change from last year, when it was a bit more of a head to head battle.

Nonetheless, inspite of greater voting numbers, the breadth of songs voted for this year was far, far greater than in 2000. Now, I don't know what that says to you, but to me, it tends to suggest that the quality of songs wasn't as great, hence the fact that the amassed body of voters all ended up picking their own unique choices. 84 songs out of 202 voted for got one vote only. There were 65 voters in all, that's 650 votes cast. So on average 1 of your top ten songs was one that no-one else picked. And we thought that the "short"list may be shorter this year. For the definitive answer though on whether the quality had improved over last year, I turn to the innocuous question at the end of the form.

Was 2001 better than 2000?

Yes: 55%
No: 34%
This is far too tricky, I'm off to forward the Harry Pothead e-mail: 11%

Bugger. Just goes to show what I know.

Any surprise omissions from the 50?

Not all that many really. For a while I thought I was going to have to report that Feeder's "Buck Rogers" wasn't going to make the 50, but then towards the end there was a late rush. No idea what could have jogged people's memory. Nonetheless, there were some sizeable commercial successes that didn't get into the final 50. After his huge smash last year, I thought the fact that D12 featured Eminem might have got "Purple Hills" in the top 50, especially with being a number 1 single too. Nope - number 67 was as far as it got. Emma Bunton also got snubbed inspite of sizeable commercial success (another number 1) - number 81 here. And what about Hear'Say? After all, their debut single was the second biggest seller of the year. Seems like we got sick of their incessant press coverage and bickering, 'cos "Pure And Simple" got all of 1 vote and ended up at number 152. All I can do is heave a huge sigh of relief that Afroman didn't end up in the final 50, but for a while he was - one good reason why we shouldn't legalise cannabis.

Of course, where would we be if we didn't have our little tease on the list too - the totally ficticious song. It was rather too easy wasn't it? Everyone got it right - but if you weren't looking at the time, it was The Felch Magnets - I Want Your Chocolate Finger. And it got no votes either. We really must try harder next time.

Shuffle papers, look at camera, give sly wink

2001 - No Jamiroquai, it wasn't a funk odyssey. It was odd alright. Ah well, it was just a bit of fun. As for what this year brings, I dunno, but I suspect we might just see Gareth and Will peeping into the list. I'm trying not to be judgemental. But it dun't matter 'cos I'm slightly outnumbered by the rest of you voting lot out there.

Thanks for all the votes, enjoy the year, until December time,

See yer!

Jason M

Other results: Top 50 of 2009 Top 50 of 2008 Top 50 of 2007 Top 50 of 2006 Top 50 of 2005 Top 50 of 2004 Top 50 of 2003 Top 50 of 2002 Top 50 of 2000

Credits

Site designed by Jason "He Plays Music" Mansfield, 2001

Thanks go to the following people for assisting with getting together our comprehensive aide-memoire: Danny G, Paul M, Kat H, Carolyn T

A MASSIVE THANKS also to all those who slaved over a hot keyboard to produce the write ups: P Shoo, James B, Paul H, Paul M, Kat H, Isaac H, Milly H, Derek K, Harley R, Ana L, Danny G, Angela T

Any thoughts, comments on the site are welcomed, just click here to mail me.