69. Criticize - Alexander O'Neal [1987]
UK #7, US #70
I think this is a little bit too high. Oh well, damage done, I still love it as well as almost all of O'Neal's other hits. I really am a 45 year old trapped in the body of a 26 year old
68. Come See About Me - The Supremes [1965]
UK #27, US #1
There are just SO many Supremes songs to choose from, I had trouble picking one. Almost just randomly chose one out of 15 favourites. This is one I chose on the account of the times I sing along to it.
67. Push It - Salt N Pepa [1988]
UK #2, US #19
A bigger hit in the UK than US? Seems a lot of these songs are to my surprise. What a DREADFUL single coverI can't believe there was a time in my teens when I preferred Shoop.
Yay, Hearsay was one of the best 80s soul albums. Shows you how good Jam & Lewis could be when working with more vocally talented people like The Human League and not bloody Janice.
The psychedelic Reflections is my fave Supremes track. With Diana anyway.
Technically, but not in sales. It was a platinum single. Early rap performed poorly on the charts there cause radio didn't play it, but it sold hugely.Originally Posted by Ellie
The classic early example is "Rapper's Delight" which was #3 in the UK, but barely broke the top 40 in the US, despite being a platinum seller.
66. Tiny Dancer - Elton John [1971]
US #41
God, how I hate Elton John's voice now. I believe he had throat nodules removed or something and that's what makes him sound all froggy, but in the 70s when he was a full blown drug addict, he had such a lovely voice. Some of you might know that Elton John was my first ever favourite singer - well I remember a time when I was about 3 or 4 and my mum had a cassette that I carried around everywhere. I have the greatest memory for these things, so just shortly before Jacko it was Elton John and Duran Duran. I probably liked anything that was shoved in front of me then
A non charting UK single, I'm jumping on the wagon here after the genius inclusion of the song in the film Almost Famous and the scene in Friends where Phoebe thinks it's about Tony Danza.
65. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor [1990]
UK #1, US #1
Ooh, I said earlier on that Madonna's song in this chart was the highest transatlantic #1 without realising that this may just be the only other one. Famously written by Prince for OK sideline act The Family, but never actually recorded by the man himself. Still not so despite 2 subsequent live versions being on official releases. As much as I love his live versions I expect everyone agrees that Sinead has the definitive recording of this song.
64. The Look of Love - ABC [1982]
UK #4, US #18
Brilliant, just brilliant. More genius production from the hand of Trevor Horn too.
We're getting to some amazing inclusions now, I knew I was forgetting something on my own countdown when I overlooked "Push it". It does seem like a much bigger hit today than a #19 in the US, probably just because it got low radio play because of the sexual tone and the fact that it was female hip hop/rap song. I doubt they air this outside the States, but they did a reunion TV show on VH1 here, it was beyond boring and the big issue was always Salt's morals because she became a born again Christian.
And their album covers were even worse..
Last edited by POP!; 23-11-2008 at 02:30 PM.
63. River Deep Mountain High - Ike & Tina Turner [1966]
UK #3, US #88
Christ, I always thought that this was Tina Turner's first solo single. I never realised it was credited to the both of them - so what the hell did Ike DO? Phil Spector at his best, this laryngitis-inducing vocal is absolutely stunning.
62. Losing My Religion - R.E.M. [1991]
UK #19, US #4
I had trouble picking an R.E.M. song. I'll admit, when they started steering away from the more commercial sounding stuff I lost interest a bit, although ironically I love the Monster album - I nearly picked Crush With Eyeliner, but if I'd used that I couldn't justifiably have them up this high. Losing My Religion suffered a bit from overplay for a while, but I think since around 2001 it just stopped, or maybe that's because I stopped listening to idiot London stations like Heart 106.2. No-one can deny it's classic status anyway.
61. Yes - McAlmont & Butler [1995]
UK #8
I remember this coming out and everyone LOVING it. I even bought that god awful McAlmont & Butler album - I did like that 2002 comeback though. The cool retro 60s sound would have done really well in this current climate. I demand a re-release.
River Deep, definitely.. the apex of the Wall of Sound sound and another infamous US chart failure
Losing My Religion is faultless but a tad overplayed. Not heard it for a while though, so it would sound great. Too many brilliant songs by them to choose from.
McAlmont - maybe. Liked it at the time, bit OTT. The best David McAlmont song is "Unworthy" by his old band The Thieves. Butler has many very great songs from his Suede work. Since you alluded to the 60s retro sound there, funny how he went to work with Duffy.
60. Right Back Where We Started From - Maxine Nightingale [1976]
UK #8, US #2
No, NOT the Sinitta version that strangely charted higher at #4 - I can see a resemblance though. It's like Sinitta meets LaToya
59. Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent - Gwen Guthrie [1986]
UK #5, US #42
She's DEAD don't ya know? Like a less attractive Rosie Gaines singing Destiny's Child songs with better grammar. In the words of Eddie Murphy: "What's goin' on? - the RENT mutha fucka"
Last edited by Ellie; 23-11-2008 at 03:25 PM.
Yay, you can't beat a bit of Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent
58. Baby I Need Your Loving - Four Tops [1964]
US #11
The first single from these Motown legends and one of a string of absolute CLASSICS. I even like Loco In Acapulco
57. Only You - Yazoo [1982]
UK #2, US #67
You know I STILL get angry at the fact of The Flying Pickets reaching #1 just a year after the original stalled at #2. Yes, I was only a baby, but it's just one of those things that has always irritated me
Last edited by Ellie; 23-11-2008 at 04:09 PM.
FABULOUS. Now what Four Tops song would I choose? That's pretty high up.
I inexplicably have a couple of Maxine Nightingale MP3s. Lead Me On is a nice ballad.
56. Brick House - The Commodores [1977]
UK #32, US #5
MORE Motown, but how great was Lionel Richie when he was still fun and exciting? I just love the enunciation on this song - she's MIIGHTAAY MIIGHTAAY!
55. All The Man That I Need - Whitney Houston [1990]
UK #13, US #1
Picking a Whitney song was pretty tough. I've always been a fan, but never a proper fan. I just tended to like and buy everything but never go gaga over much of it. There are a large handful of ones that just bowl me over and this is one of those songs. I've never heard the Linda Clifford version, probably just because I've never sought it out. I've been playing the 'I'm You Baby Tonight' album a lot lately actually
54. The King Of Wishful Thinking - Go West [1990]
UK #18, US #8
This might be an unpopular choice since I've seen some harsh hatred for Pretty Woman here. I've always liked Go West though - Peter Cox is a local resident of mine and I loved seeing him on Reborn In The USA
53. Cochise - Audioslave [2003]
UK #24, US #69
Audioslave's first single from their brilliant debut album - funnily enough Chris Cornell makes 3 appearances in this chart here, solo and lower down as part of Soundgarden. What a voice!
Last edited by Ellie; 23-11-2008 at 04:29 PM.
'Brick House' is OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNKY unlike Lionel's line in dreary solo UPTEMPO numbers
She's LETTING IT ALL HANG OUT
Last edited by Donna Winter; 23-11-2008 at 04:35 PM.
And oh...
Oh HOW MANY YEARS
Is it NOW Maurice?
Of course it should've been higher, but I'm glad you included it. The I'm Your Baby Tonight album is magnificent, it's not one of those albums that BOASTS around or that is obviously UP ITSELF, but when you actually get around to thinking about it, (nearly) EVERY ("I'm Knockin'" is the exception) song it is VERY GOOD to INCREDIBLE.55. All The Man That I Need - Whitney Houston [1990]
UK #13, US #1
Picking a Whitney song was pretty tough. I've always been a fan, but never a proper fan. I just tended to like and buy everything but never go gaga over much of it. There are a large handful of ones that just bowl me over and this is one of those songs. I've never heard the Linda Clifford version, probably just because I've never sought it out. I've been playing the 'I'm You Baby Tonight' album a lot lately actually
Last edited by POP!; 23-11-2008 at 04:36 PM.
ELLIE I LOVE MOST OF THIS STUFF
I prefer Call Me for Go West, 80s-tastic.
The Linda Clifford original of All The Man seems very rare indeed.
YESSSSSSS-SA55. All The Man That I Need - Whitney Houston [1990]
UK #13, US #1
Picking a Whitney song was pretty tough. I've always been a fan, but never a proper fan. I just tended to like and buy everything but never go gaga over much of it. There are a large handful of ones that just bowl me over and this is one of those songs. I've never heard the Linda Clifford version, probably just because I've never sought it out. I've been playing the 'I'm You Baby Tonight' album a lot lately actually
GIVE IT UP
GIVE IT UP
FEARLESS FEMALE
52. November Rain - Guns N Roses [1991]
UK #4, US #3
Another one I'm not sure about because there are lots of ones I could have picked for my favourite GnR song, but this epic piece will have to do. I adore it when they build up to a climax in their songs, and I think Slash genuinely lives up to the hype as a lead guitarist. Oh, and who can forget the ridiculous video with people jumping into cakes just because it started raining? HOW DID SHE DIE?
51. I'm In Love - Evelyn Champagne King [1981]
UK #27, US #40
Amazing track from the Disco Princess! Lord, does Janet Jackson [or her producers] know how to pick amazing samples?
50. Get It On - T-Rex [1971]
UK #1, US #10
Oh how I love Marc Bolan's voice. Crap facts: my mum's best friend used to go out with him and this song was the inspiration for Prince to rip it off and write Cream.
Last edited by Ellie; 23-11-2008 at 05:00 PM.
Where did that fat bitch sample Miss Champagne King?
R&B Junkie from the Damita Jo album. It's one of the best songs on there, but ALL because of the sample.
49. You Know My Name - Chris Cornell [2006]
UK #4, US #79
The best Bond theme for a LONG time, and the only American man to have ever done oneNot the highest Bond theme on the list though.
Last edited by Ellie; 24-11-2008 at 07:42 PM.
48. The Best Things In Life Are Free - Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson [1992]
UK #2, US #10
She may be a tuneless cunt now, but there was a time when she could actually use that little voice of hers, and pick a rather good tune to boot. Let's hope her weight yo-yo-ing doesn't go the same way as her duet partner
47. Just A Girl - No Doubt [1996]
UK #3, US #23
Back when Stefani could legitimately rock without all of that modern Hip Hop rubbish!
46. Defying Gravity - Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth [2003]
Well it HAD to go in, didn't it? I heart "Chenzel". I've heard more powerful renditions of the song, but Idina Menzel is still the definitive Elphaba.
45. High On Your Love Suite - Rick James [1979]
US #72
From the album I'm yearning to have on CD but won't fork out £60+ for it, hmph. A 7 and a half minute Funk OPUS. This deserves to be better known
Last edited by Ellie; 24-11-2008 at 07:57 PM.
44. The One And Only - Chesney Hawkes [1991]
UK #1, US #10
Nick Kershaw's Pop masterpiece and Chesney's only Top 10 yet his entire breadline these days being in demand for University parties - not for much longer I guess. I genuinely LOVE it though
43. Upside Down - Diana Ross [1980]
UK #2, US #1
Pop/Disco perfection. 'Nuff said.
42. Sweet Emotion - The Answer [2007]
My current favourite band. And while their debut album 'Rise' is absolutely stupendous, even the outtakes on the 2nd disc from the re-release were just as good or better than the original album tracks, their cover of this Aerosmith song that they recorded for some free CD in a magazine is the one that I keep going back to (it is also included on said re-release of 'Rise'). I adore Aerosmith anyway, but some of their 70s output is very under-produced in recorded form. THIS is how the song is supposed to sound - and they're much better live.
FABULOUS!
Madonna Madonna Madonna Madonna Madonna Madonna
41. Jungle Love - The Time [1984]
US #20
I suppose this is the final Prince-related thing before his own entry - he wrote produced and played all instruments apart from lead guitar on it, but the song is all about Morris Day! OH WEE OH WEE OH! I nearly replaced this with their only US #1, Jerk Out.
Last edited by Ellie; 24-11-2008 at 08:57 PM.
40. Buffalo Stance - Neneh Cherry [1989]
UK #3, US #3
WOT IS HE LIYKE? Oh God, this is just an absolute STAPLE of my childhood. I love it in EVERY way. And I hate people who hate the cockney spoken part. It's genius!
39. Let Her Down Easy [1993] & Holding On To You [1995] - Terence Trent D'Arby
UK #18 / UK #20
Cheating here with 2 entries. And while the obvious Introducing The Hardline... is the only well remembered hit album, I'm going for the equally solid Let Her Down Easy from 'Symphony or Damn' and Holding On To You from the patchy with amazing highs but too many lows 'Vibrator'. HOW much does old Terence want to be Michael Jackson and Prince at the same time? Usually I scoff at that, but being around the same age he could legitimately just have the same influences, and he has a hell of a lot of talent anyway. Apart from the Prince-like turning to religion, changing his name and generally being pretentious nowOh and Ronan Keating can FUCK OFF with his rubbish cover of the former.
Let Her Down Easy
Holding On To You
38. Theme From S-Express - S-Express [1988]
UK #1, US #91
Very nearly at the end of the run of my childhood favourites in this chart. Is there anything to say about this track? It really shouldn't be this high
Last edited by Ellie; 24-11-2008 at 09:27 PM.
GOD "Theme from S Express" is fucking FABULOUS
It's been too long, it's been too long...
..AND IT IS A TRIP
lmfao @ Chesney
I was thinking that with all the
Oh, no. Fantasy should really have made it too.
Let's Groove!
I'm sure I have it on one of his Hits compilations. But I think that's a live version, which you may not count towards 'recorded'.
Hey go get the doctor
Doctor came too late...
Male or female?
Hey go get the doctor
Doctor came too late...
Yes, that's a live version as a duet with Rosie Gaines that was quickly added to the tour setlist in 1990 when it became such a big hit. The other is much better as it's solo, on the 2002 One Night Alone live album.
FemaleMale or female?
The original Family version of Nothing Compares from 1985(?) is weird. I used to have their album.
And YAY for some Yazoo lovin'! Their very best one indeed, and I actually do have a slight soft spot for the Flying Pickets reading myself. Perhaps for chart-geek sentimental reasons, with it being the UK #1 on my date of birth.
Of course the Flemish #1 on my date of birth was FAR SUPERIOR
Hey go get the doctor
Doctor came too late...
37. Home - Stephanie Mills [1989]
US R&B #1
Originally sung by Mills as a teenager when she was starring in the Broadway production of The Wiz, over 10 years later she decided to re-record it as an R&B/Pop ballad. I've posted this video several times before, but I truly think she's astounding. Better than Whitney singing it for her TV debut and certainly better than Diana Ross in the movie - it's ALL about the end.
Other great songs: You're Puttin A Rush On Me, The Medicine Song, I Feel Good All Over, Put Your Body In It, Bit By Bit, You Can't Run From My Love, Never Knew Love Like This Before, I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love
36. Oh My Gosh - Basement Jaxx [2005]
UK #8
Their best song and video for me. Always ave to play this 2 or 3 times every time I hear it.
35. Janie's Got A Gun - Aerosmith [1989]
UK #76, US #4
Unfortunately this absolute GEM from the Pump album wasn't on the setlist when I saw them last year. WIth the brilliant David Fincher video about a girl killing her father for his, erm, crimes against her. Joe Perry's solo isn't quite up to Slash proportions but the build up is immense.
Last edited by Ellie; 25-11-2008 at 08:33 PM.
Yay Stephanie
Did you get Chinese Democracy?
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