25 Years Since....March 1998

A bit late but here we go:

Catatonia - Mulder And Scully

Catatonia made their Top 40 debut in 1996 but this was the record that made them a household name. I have a feeling I knew their debut hit at the time, but this was the first time I became familiar with the name Catatonia.

It was a record that made me start to think I should open myself up to music that wasn't rave. In reality there were plenty of non-rave tunes I liked throughout in secret, but I didn't really keep a secret of the fact I liked this record.

Wes - Alane

I'd heard this record many times before I knew what the fuck it was. I always found it strange but in a good way. I also recall someone I knew at the time hating it possibly for the same reasons that I liked it.

It was the only Top 40 hit for Wes and the fact it's so different just shows how much more variety we had in the charts back then.

Lionrock - Rude Boy Rock

This was the final but highest charting Top 40 hit to date for Lionrock. I would have had this down as being more a record from the summer as it reminds me of the World Cup that year.

I would also say that this record is a lot more catchy than their previous efforts.

Black Connection - Give Me Rhythm

In 1997 there was a late night show on ITV about music and clubbing called "Club Nation". At the end of the last episode in the series the presenter said they'd be back in September. Then September came but no sign of "Club Nation" returning.

Then some time later came a new show called "Club@Vision" and this was the theme music. To be honest I wasn't overly keen at first as it seemed to completely ignore the rave scene but a combination of me getting more into house music plus an episode from Dreamscape finally got me into it.

I also remember thinking at the time that presenter Lisa Nash probably didn't even know the rave scene existed. Little did I know that she was Hixxy's girlfriend at the time.

All Seeing I - Beat Goes On

This was a big beat rip off of the Sonny & Cher record. I wasn't aware of that fact at the time, if I was then it may have put me off.

It's quite fitting to have a big beat record about the beat though.

Top 30 in 1996 Reviewed: Week 13

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 27 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Friday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1996 with my verdict on each record:

30. 3T - Anything

You have to feel sorry for Tito Jackson really, a musician in his own right yet 3T were best known as Michael Jacksons nephews as opposed to Tito Jacksons sons. What I remember about this at the time was one of them having a backpack on that he'd throw to the ground part way through the song. No idea why he did that, maybe a distraction from the fact it's not a very good song.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Madonna - One More Chance

The 40th Top 40 hit for Madonna, a milestone few acts had reached at the time. Listening to the intro I'm thinking is she trying to do "More Than Words" by Extreme. That's as exciting as it gets. It was written with her "You'll See" collaborator David Foster and both records were made for her greatest hits ballad album. Sounds dull.

Verdict - Rubbish

28. Harmonix - Landslide (New)

The internet has turned a lot of music acts from names on tapes to acts with an image and a persona. There are however still some acts from the 90s which you can find literally nothing about on the internet with Harmonix being one of them. At the same time there's nothing about this record that really makes me want to find out more. It's not a bad record at all but lacks any sort of wow factor.

Verdict - OK

27. Up Yer Ronson ft Mary Pearce - Are You Gonna Be There? (New)

The 2nd of 3 Top 40 hits to date for Up Yer Ronson ft Mary Pearce but the last time they'll feature as their final hit didn't make the Top 30. Up Yer Ronson was the name of a club night in Leeds which seemed to be popular enough for the music to transfer over into the Top 40. It's a solid record.

Verdict - Good

26. Gat Decor - Passion

This is a remix of a 1992 record with the lyrics to "Do You Want It Right Now" by Degrees of Motion. I mention Now 33 being played to death at the time and I recall this being the first track of side 2 of tape 2 which was the best part of the compilation, but that hardly ever got played.

Verdict - Good

25. Bis - The Secret Vampire Soundtrack (EP) (New)

The lead song from this EP was "Kandy Pop". One of those records which was big at the time but you never hear anymore. Listening to it again though, thank god. What an annoying record.

Verdict - Rubbish

24. Tina Turner - Whatever You Want

One of the songwriters on this record was Taylor Dayne alongside Arthur Baker and Fred Zarr. The latter also was one of the writers of "Where Is My Man" by Eartha Kitt and in a way this sounds like Tina Turner is trying to do something across between that and a Taylor Dayne song. As I don't like that record in question or and Taylor Dayne songs I've heard that means that this is dreadful.

Verdict - Rubbish

23. Kaliphz ft Prince Naseem - Walk Like A Champion (New)

Prince Naseem was an undefeated boxer at the time so he must have thought he could do anything at the time. Therefore he decided to enter the world of music with this record. All I can see is it's just as well he was good at boxing really and music seemed to be something he couldn't do.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. The Beatles - Real Love

Like it's predecessor "Free As A Bird" this started out as a John Lennon demo with the remaining Beatles adding their parts and produced by Jeff Lynne. It's the 30th and final original Beatles Top 40 hit to date. I'd say this sounds more like The Beatles sounded in the 60s than how you'd imagine them to sound in the 90s, but that's no bad thing especially as they achieved the latter on their previous hit.

Verdict - Good

21. Shaggy - Something Different / The Train Is Coming

This was the first Top 40 hit by Shaggy that I don't remember the first time around. It was the first one to chart outside the Top 20 which may explain it. I did however get to know both of these tunes when I bought his greatest hits a few years later. "Something Different" features Wayne Wonder a few years before he became a well known artist in his own right with "No Letting Go". "The Train Is Coming" is a cover of a Ken Boothe record and features Ken Boothe himself. Both decent records.

Verdict - Good / Good

20. Shed Seven - Going For Gold

The 6th Top 40 hit and only Top 10 hit to date for Shed Seven. This is the single which made them household names which was helped a lot by Chris Evans playing it on his radio show all the time. I never got the appeal personally.

Verdict - Rubbish

19. The Beloved - Satellite (New)

The final Top 40 hit to date from The Beloved. By this point they were probably best known for the "Sweet Harmony" video full of naked people. With this record they've gone and done it again, except this time the naked people are getting up and dancing. The lighting does somewhat obscure your view though. It's a dance record and probably a sign that Jon Marsh was probably more interested in being a DJ by this point.

Verdict - Good

18. Celine Dion - Falling Into You

A coming together of Rick Nowels who wrote most of Belinda Carlisle's hits and Billy Steinberg who'd written hit for a number of female musicians produced this which sounds like, well a Celine Dion record. She made it her own I guess, that's pretty much the only positive thing I can think of about this record.

Verdict - Rubbish

17. Marion - Sleep (New)

The 3rd and final Top 40 hit for Marion which was also their biggest. The intro actually sounds slightly promising with the harmonica but then it just gets into generic noise. I guess you could say it's music to fall asleep to.

Verdict - Rubbish

16. Wet Wet Wet - Morning (New)

The 6th and final Top 40 hit from their "Picture This" album. I think we've reached album filler territory with this one. I do remember it and can distinguish it from other Wet Wet Wet records, but it still sounds very generic.

Verdict - Rubbish

15. Dubstar - Stars (New)

This was first released in 1995 but only reached number 40, but after the success of their follow up "Not So Manic Now" they re-released this. It's also the opening track to their debut album ,"Disgraceful" which I recommend you go and buy if you don't already have it. I absolutely love the intro to this and find the track very soothing.

Verdict - Good

14. Luniz - I Got 5 On It

The Top 40 debut for Luniz and the only record many people know them for. It's an anthem no doubt which is possibly both a blessing and a curse for them. A blessing that they have such an iconic record but a curse that people only talk about the record and not Luniz as an act.

Verdict - Good

13. Technohead - I Wanna Be A Hippy

In 1995 I was singing this all the time, and those not into rave had no idea what I was singing with some even thinking I was making it up. In 1996 here it was in the Top 40. Technohead were a British husband/wife duo who'd recorded under several aliases over the years. In the early 90s they relocated to Holland and topped the charts with this. By the time it charted over here though one of them had sadly passed away.

Verdict - Good

12. Boyzone - Coming Home Now

Believe it or not, this record was written by the 5 members of Boyzone and nobody else. I struggle to believe it myself, it follows that poundland 70s soul music formula that's been done several times by seasoned songwriters and producers who seem more likely to have written it. Anyway if it's true then at least some of them have talent as songwriters as it does take skill to write crap too.

Verdict - Rubbish

11. PJ And Duncan - Stepping Stone (New)

This was the 9th Top 40 hit for PJ & Duncan and the last one they made under the PJ & Duncan name before going under their real names Ant & Dec. Not a bad run for a music career that started off with a song they did on Byker Grove that failed to reach the Top 40. It's also the only cover they did as PJ & Duncan. It's awful, but I guess that was always the point.

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Garbage - Stupid Girl

The 3rd Top 40 hit for Garbage which was also their first Top 10 and their biggest hit to date. I honestly don't know what to make of it after all these years and hearing it many times. It's certainly nothing to get excited about but I don't exactly dislike it either. I guess that's what the half mark is for.

Verdict - OK

9. Cast - Walkaway (New)

This was the fourth hit single for Cast. Their first three hits were quite uplifting ones, although not really my cup of tea. Then this song came along which followed the same formula of several other dreary hits from the Brit Pop era. To be fair to them though, they did revert back to the more uplifting style for the rest of the decade.

Verdict - Rubbish

8. Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger

I find interviews with Noel Gallagher nowadays very entertaining and do find myself agreeing with a lot of what he says about music that I don't like. I can't say the same about his music though. I never understood why Oasis were so popular, their music was just so dull in my opinion. Not only is this tune dull though, it's rather annoying too.

Verdict - Rubbish

7. Ken Doh - Nakasaki EP (I Need A Lover Tonight) (New)

If you listened to the Essential Mix or Pete Tongs Essential Selection on Radio 1 in 1995 then you would have heard "Nakasaki" multiple times. For the chart release they added vocals to it, hence the "(I Need a Lover Tonight)". Often when vocals are added to a very good dance record it completely ruins it (Groovejet springs to mind). However, this is still an excellent track with the vocals and one I've listened to many times in the last 20 years.

Verdict - Good

6. Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack

I remember when this first entered the charts it was at number six for three weeks in a row. It would eventually climb to number one, the first time a record climbed to number one rather than go straight in at number one for a while. I always found Mark Morrison quite hard to take seriously with the way he sang. Still not a bad record though.

Verdict - OK

5. Gabrielle - Give Me A Little More Time

Despite being a brand new record in 1996, this sounds like it could have easily come out in 1966. That's not a bad thing though. I do remember hearing this a lot at the time so I did get a bit sick of it, but still not a bad tune.

Verdict - OK

4. Take That - How Deep Is Your Love

I have happy memories of this record coming out as we knew (or should I say thought) this was the end of the band. To me, doing a cover as your final song is quite a pathetic way to go out. Saying that, they could have done "Twinkle Twinkle" and it would have probably still got to number one and give them that final pay cheque they were looking for.

Verdict - Rubbish

3. Robert Miles - Children

A record you definitely couldn't avoid hearing in 1996, but what a tune. Like many dance records at the time, this was already over a year old by the time it was released. It's one of those tunes you can sit back and relax to but also get up and dance to, and I've done both.

Verdict - Good

2. Mark Snow - The X-Files (New)

Mark Snow composed the actual them music to the X Files and here it is at number two in the charts. I can't say I'm a big fan of the theme music, or the programme itself for that matter. I can't say I particularly dislike it either though.

Verdict - OK

1. The Prodigy - Firestarter (New)

This was the record which ensured the Prodigy would never have to go back to the day job. At the time I loved the Prodigy and owned the first two albums. I remember listening to the Evening Session on Radio One where they said they were going to play the new Prodigy tune for the first time and I was excited about hearing it. However, when they played it I was very disappointed. I think the main reason was because when I started listening to the Prodigy, I was moving away from rock music to listen to rave, but this tune seemed to be going back towards rock music. Since then I've grown to like the rockier tunes from the Prodigy more than I used to, but I just can't bring myself to like this tune.

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 12.5/30, or 42%. We're now sliding.

Christmas Charts Rated: 1994

Top 40

Best Song: Baby D - Let Me Be Your Fantasy

It was around this time that I was getting into rave for the first time. This record originally was released in 1992 but never made the Top 40 until 1994 when it topped the charts. As such it was bringing back the rave spirit of 1992 and was a good gateway for people like myself to get into rave music.

Worst Song: Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

I think this record was definitely worthy of being worst song on at least one Christmas chart, so the one when it first charted seems appropriate. It's the first record to chart in the run up to Christmas these days. The only positive about it is that it's not dreary like a lot of Mariah Carey, but at the same time it's just irritating.

Top 40 Review

1994 was a great year for underground music, but for chart music it got a surprisingly low score. On the other hand 1995 was the best year of the 90s and that was just around the corner, so how would the Christmas charts of 1994 fare?

Let's begin with the Christmas number one. It was "Stay Another Day" by East 17 which was one of just a few Christmas number ones I'm giving full marks to. It's considered by some to be a Christmas record, but it isn't.

In terms of actual Christmas records there was one more in addition to the Mariah Carey record which was "Please Come Home For Christmas". I actually bought that single on the cheap at Cash Convertors a few years later but quickly realised that I don't really like it.

Meanwhile Bon Jovi had another hit in this Top 40 with "Always" which gets full marks. That's about as rock as it gets in the Top 40, the only other guitar music came from Oasis with "Whatever" which doesn't score points.

As mentioned though I was becoming a raver and there was a jungle record in the Top 40 which was "Sweet Love" by M-Beat ft Nazlyn. Other decent dance records include the excellent "U Sure Do" by Strike and "Another Night" by (MC Sar And) The Real McCoy.

Not so good is that "Saturday Night" by Whigfield is in there along with the soundalike follow up "Another Day" plus a record that's a parody of "Saturday Night" called "Whiggle In Line" by Black Duck. Needless to say none of these get marks.

In the best year search for 1994 the number one record was "Love Is All Around" by Wet Wet Wet and that was still in the Top 40 at Christmas, it's a record I like.

What is somewhat surprising is that the 2 country hits in the Top 40 are the 2 that get half marks which are "All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow and "Crocodile Shoes" by Jimmy Nail. 

Also helping the score for 1994 is "We Have All The Time In The World" by Louis Armstrong, a record that's actually from 1969 which I declared the best year for chart music. It was the first time that record actually made the UK Top 40 though.

The fact I've reached the end of the post without mentioning all the record with full marks indicates we're getting a score that's in double figures.

Score: 12

Table

1994 tops the Christmas charts table and is actually a better chart than the one from the best year search:

Top 30 in 1995 Reviewed: Week 13

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 28 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Wednesday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1995 with my verdict on each record:

30. MN8 - I've Got A Little Something For You

This was the Top 40 debut and biggest hit for MN8. I've often said that British R&B in the 90s often sounded like a cheap imitation of its American counterpart. This is no exception, but at the same time what a tune. 

Verdict - Good

29. Massive Attack - Karmacoma (New)

The 3rd and final Top 40 hit from the "Protection" album. It featured Tricky who had already started his solo career by this point and had his own version called "Overcome" which was his Top 40 debut earlier on in the year. Both great records.

Verdict - Good

28. Duran Duran - Perfect Day

A couple of years before every man and his dog covered this Lou Reed record that appeared on the BBC all the time, Duran Duran did this cover. It's the lead single from their covers album and is a really poor effort when you consider how good the lead single from their previous album was.

Verdict - Rubbish

27. Reel 2 Real ft The Mad Stuntman - Conway (New)

I would put Reel 2 Real in the category of more Top 40 hits than you'd think. This was number 5 for them and they weren't done yet. It's much the same formula as the previous 4 hits except not as catchy. Erick Morillo the DJ was miles better.

Verdict - Rubbish

26. The Boo Radleys - Wake Up Boo!

The Top 40 debut and biggest hit for The Boo Radleys. They had previously been a part of the shoegazing scene but this record couldn't be any more different. It's an uplifting number and good fun to listen to.

Verdict - Good

25. Shut Up And Dance - Save It 'Til The Mourning After (New)

Shut Up and Dance had one of the biggest rave hits of 1992 with "Raving I'm Raving". This was their only other Top 40 hit which came at a time when the rave scene had split into happy hardcore and jungle. This isn't really either, though they had gone down the jungle route with other records. It's different, but in a good way.

Verdict - Good

24. Ultimate Kaos - Show A Little Love (New)

When I think Ultimate Kaos I think "Some Girls" and "Casanova" which are both guilty pleasures of mine. I have no recollection of this record though which was their 3rd and lowest charting Top 40 hit. In listening to it though I think I've found another guilty pleasure.

Verdict - Good

23. Des'ree - You Gotta Be

I had to look at the history books to check if this record had originally been released in 1992, but it hadn't. My memory is playing tricks on me again because I think of this as being a 1992 record. That said, I've always considered this to be a bit naff so maybe it is better suited to 1994.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. Tin Tin Out ft Espiritu - Always Something There To Remind Me

Before Tin Tin Out had their big pop hits in the late 90s they were a dance act. This is the only one of those earlier dance hits that made the Top 30. It samples the 60s record of the same name with the vocals simply singing the title part. It treads the line between eurodance cheese and more credible trance music, but more crucially I like it.

Verdict - Good

21. Brownstone - If You Love Me (New)

The Top 40 debut for Brownstone and the record they are best known for. It reached number 8 in both the UK and America. I would also say this is their best Top 40 hit and was very much of it's time, that's a better time.

Verdict - Good

20. Snap! ft Summer - The First, The Last Eternity (New)

This was the last original Top 40 hit to date for Snap!. They were very much on the commercial side of dance music but purely from an enjoyment perspective I would say their latter hits are the best ones. The way dance music in general had evolved by this point suits this kind of record.

Verdict - Good

19. The New Power Generation - Get Wild (New)

The Top 40 debut for The New Power Generation on their own from a credits perspective at least. Prince was still very much there and was a symbol during this period. It's a funk record and whilst far from the best Prince material it's still decent.

Verdict - Good

18. Sean Maguire - Suddenly

The 3rd Top 40 hit for singing actor Sean Maguire. It was clear by this point that he wasn't going to really fill the void left by Jason Donovan in the male soap star turned singer world. It didn't stop him from trying though and there's more of him to come.

Verdict - Rubbish

17. JX - You Belong To Me (New)

It had been a year since JX made his Top 40 debut with "Son of a Gun". This was his follow up Top 40 hit and sounds like your typical hardbag record. I do like a lot of the hardbag records from this era and this record is no exception.

Verdict - Good

16. Rednex - Old Pop In An Oak

You may be surprised to learn that Rednex had another hit. Now you've learned that fact you probably won't be surprised to learn it's basically the same as their big hit but with different lyrics. As I didn't like their big hit I'm not going to like this.

Verdict - Rubbish

15. Clock - Axel F / Keep Pushin'

The 3rd Top 40 hit for Stu Allan's commercial dance outfit Clock. This was the record that made them more of a household name. "Axel F" is a eurodance cover of the Harold Faltermeyer record and does exactly what it says on the tin. All I can say is at least it's better than the Crazy Frog version. I've not heard "Keep Pushin" before and it's actually not bad.

Verdict - Rubbish / OK

14. The Human League - One Man In My Heart

The Human League 1995 comeback continued with this record. Unlike their other hits, this one has minimal vocals from Phil Oakey with Susan Ann Sulley taking the lead vocals instead. It still sounds out of place in 1995 though.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. The Nightcrawlers - Push The Feeling On

I remember watching this video. You had lots of strange looking people enter the photo booth, but then the last one to walk in was an ordinary looking bloke with long hair. Not only did I think the bloke with long hair was a bit out of place for looking normal, but I also thought long hair equaled rock music, and this was a dance record. I was therefore amazed to see the bloke with long hair was the bloke singing it, though in hindsight it makes a lot of sense. A bit overplayed now, but I still like it.

Verdict - Good

12. Janet Jackson - Whoops Now / What'll I Do 

After having 6 Top 40 hits from her self titled album already, Janet Jackson releases a double a-side of records both from that same album. There's something quite nostalgic about "Whoops Now", a 60s style record done 90s style if that makes sense. "What'll I Do" is a cover of a 60s soul record, but the original is far far better.

Verdict - Good / Rubbish

11. Bucketheads - The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)

This was the first and biggest Top 40 hit for Bucketheads which was a project of Kenny Dope from Masters At Work. It was the first time I'd come across Kenny Dope and initially I thought he was the bloke in the video. Despite the fact I know what he looks like now, it's still the bloke in the video I picture when I come across Kenny Dope. It's a great record too.

Verdict - Good

10. East 17 - Let It Rain

After topping the charts for the first and only time at the end of 1994, East 17 only just managed to squeeze into the Top 10 with their follow up record. It's back to the Tony rapping/Brian singing formula much like their debut hit "House of Love". It's a formula that works so why not.

Verdict - Good

9. Freak Power - Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out

This got no further than 29 on it's first release, but fared better when it was rereleased in 1995 after appearing on the Levi's advert. I do however remember hearing this on the radio in 1993 and liking it. The intro to it is very distinctive.

Verdict - Good

8. Alex Party - Don't Give Me Your Life

This was the big hit for Alex Party. It makes me think of the Smash Hits Poll Winners party but I can't find any evidence of this ever being on it. What it also reminds me of is that a few months prior I couldn't stand this sort of music but I was liking it by this point.

Verdict - Good

7. The Beatles - Baby It's You (New)

This was the start of The Beatles mini Top 40 comeback in the mid-90s. It appeared on their debut album "Please Please Me" and was originally done by The Shirelles. I didn't think much to The Beatles in 1995 but have grown to appreciate them a lot more as I've got older and as a result I like this record.

Verdict - Good

6. Strike - U Sure Do (New)

The Top 40 debut for Strike which originally charted in 1994 but fared better when it returned to the charts in 1995. Its the record Strike were best known for. It's definitely one of those records that makes me nostalgic about the 90s.

Verdict - Good

5. Bobby Brown - Two Can Play That Game (New)

This originally made number 38 in 1994 but did better when it returned to the charts in 1995 and gave Bobby Brown his highest charting Top 40 hit to date. It was also the last of his big hits. The single version was a K-Klass remix and is a dance record. A great uplifting record.

Verdict - Good

4. Celine Dion - Think Twice

I remember going on holiday in 1995 and going to a restaurant the first night which was almost empty. As I dined it became apparent why nobody went there. The restaurant manager seemed to love this song, playing it multiple times that evening and encouraging diners to get up and dance to it with him. Needless to say I never went back. A boring depressing record.

Verdict - Rubbish

3. Wet Wet Wet - Julia Says

It had been getting on for a year since Wet Wet Wet first topped the charts with "Love Is All Around" until they released this, the follow up. It didn't feel like it though given how long "Love Is All Around" was in the charts for. I do feel like I shouldn't like this record, but I do.

Verdict - Good

2. Cher, Chrissie Hynde And Neneh Cherry With Eric Clapton - Love Can Build A Bridge

The Comic Relief single for 1995. At the time I remember being part of a quiz team and getting the question of who did this record. My team mate correctly answered Cher, Chrissie Hynde and Neneh Cherry, then I added "and Eric Clapton on the guitar". To this very day I still cringe at that moment, maybe because I was trying to point out something positive about the song when even Eric Clapton couldn't stop this song from being dire.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. The Outhere Brothers - Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle)

1995 was the year of The Outhere Brothers and this is where it all began. They were massive in 1995 and then afterwards they were nowhere to be seen really. I was a fan of their music, it was great fun to listen to.

Verdict - Good

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 21.5/30, or 72%. The great scores keep coming.

UK Number 40s: Sunscreem - Exodus (1995)

 

In the summer of 1992 there were lots of acts from the rave scene breaking through to the UK charts. One of the big success stories was Sunscreem who made their Top 40 debut with "Love U More" and also managed to make the America Top 40 with that record.

Unlike many of their peers, they weren't 2 guys behind keyboards, they were a full band. They kept their run of hits going into 1993, a time when rave was making way for eurodance commercially.

At the end of 1995 it had been over 18 months since Sunscreem had a Top 40 hit which was a very long time in rave terms during that era. Their big hit "Love U More" had been covered by Paul Elstak and was a big hit in Holland in 1995 and was being played at all the raves over here.

Sunscreem were onto their 2nd album and lead single "When" failed to reach the Top 40. This was the 2nd single from the album, so the fact it made the Top 40 means it may be seen as a success.

As far as singles go this and it's predecessor are the most similar to their earlier tunes. That is perhaps why they did not succeed, people were not ready to go back to 1995. Their following 2 singles "White Skies" and "Secrets" were more guitar driven and fared better in the charts.

Top 30 in 1993 Reviewed: Week 13

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1993 with my verdict on each record:

30. Madonna - Bad Girl

The 30th Top 40 hit for Madonna. Despite being a Top 10 single, just, it was the 2nd lowest charting Top 40 hit she'd had to that point. It also only made number 36 in America. I do remember it, but it's not one you really hear anymore. Hopefully this is the last time I'll hear it.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Worlds Apart - Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel (New)

With Take That and East 17 now enjoying much success it was time for a certain Simon Cowell to jump on the boy band wagon. This was the the boy band he assembled making their Top 40 debut with what is basically a karaoke version of the Tavares record. 

Verdict - Rubbish

28. Alice In Chains - Them Bones

The 2nd Top 40 hit for Alice In Chains. What becomes apparent from this record is that Alice In Chains were heavier than the other big Seattle grunge bands. On that basis it makes sense that they were more likely to appear in peoples Top 10 bands than the others with the exception of Nirvana. It was still music I'd categorise as music I liked because I was supposed to rather than music I genuinely liked.

Verdict - OK

27. Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day (New)

Ice Cube was now on his 3rd solo album but this was his Top 40 debut. It was perhaps the most radio friendly record he'd made to this point. That said it still has expletives and is what I would call a proper rap record.

Verdict - Good

26. Van Halen - Jump (Live) (New)

I remember the first time I heard "Jump". I knew Van Halen were a rock band but didn't know any of their songs. I was in a cafe with a jukebox which was somewhat lacking in rock music, but this was on it so I saw it as a good opportunity to finally hear Van Halen. I was somewhat shocked and disappointed with that intro, but it did get more rocky as the song went on and has grown on me over the years. This live version has Sammy Hagar singing on it as opposed to David Lee Roth who had long left the band by this point. Whilst I can tell it's a different singer, it's not something I really notice.

Verdict - Good

25. East 17 - Deep

It had already been established that boys weren't supposed to like Take That, but nobody had said anything about East 17 yet. Therefore I would make no secret at the time that I liked this record. It was their first Top 5 hit.

Verdict - Good

24. Bananarama - More More More (New)

I find it amusing that one of Bananarama's greatest hits albums is called "Greatest Hits & More More More". I'm sure it's supposed to imply there's more to the album than their greatest hits, but my interpretation is that "More More More" wasn't one of their greatest hits. It was their final Top 40 hit before the comeback, but I don't think many people noticed. 

Verdict - Rubbish

23. Suede - Animal Nitrate

I remember mishearing the band name as being Slade when I first heard this and thought wow this sounds a bit different. Then I saw it on the TV with their name on screen and it started to make sense. Suede were one of the most overrated bands of the 90s in my opinion but many bands have one good song in them and for Suede this is the one.

Verdict - Good

22. Robin S - Show Me Love (New)

There are many records that have been played to death over the years and this is definitely one of them. It's been remixed to death too, though this best known version was a remix itself. The remix was by Stonebridge, the same Stonebridge who were putting out cheesy dance records in the 21st century. The issue I have with this being overplayed is that it was nothing special to begin with.

Verdict - OK

21. kd Lang - Constant Craving

This failed to make the Top 40 when first released the previous year. It was the only solo Top 40 hit for kd Lang. It's one of those record that seems more suited to the American market than the UK one. I guess it's catchy but that's the only good thing about it, if that even is a good thing.

Verdict - Rubbish

20. Jade - Don't Walk Away (New)

The Top 40 debut for Jade and their biggest hit. It certainly has the 90s nostalgia factor to it. The fact the reunion consisted of just 2 of the 3 members and they added a contestant from "The Voice" to the group tells me I'm nostalgic about something that never really existed. I'll try not to let that put me off the tune though.

Verdict - Good

19. Sunscreem - Pressure Us (New)

This was originally titled "Pressure" and failed to make the Top 40 when first released in 1991. It was remixed and renamed "Pressure Us". Although this charted lower than their previous 2 hits this feels like it was a bigger record at the time as I'm sure this was the one I heard the most.

Verdict - Good

18. Monie Love - Born To BREED

Back in the 20th century the majority of rap artists in the Top 40 were American. There was just one British rap act to score more than 3 Top 40 hits and that was Monie Love who reached 9. To me though that's a bad advert for British rap. Even having Prince as co-writer cannot save this record.

Verdict - Rubbish

17. Whitney Houston - I'm Every Woman

A week after Whitney Houston was finally knocked off the top spot we got this Top 5 follow up. It's also from "The Bodyguard" film and is a cover of the Chaka Khan record. At least this one isn't as depressing, but that's the only positive thing I can say about it.

Verdict - Rubbish

16. Sybil - When I'm Good And Ready

With this record entering the charts I know that "Sweat (A La La La La Long)" by Inner Circle is just round the corner. Both take me back to school discos in an era where I loved pretty much everything which was played. It's one of the last Stock and Waterman hits, but according to West End aka Eddie Gordon they just replicated what he'd done previously, which explains why this is good.

Verdict - Good

15. Right Said Fred And Friends - Stick It Out

This was the comic relief single for 1993 and was therefore being played all the time at the time. I don't think I've heard it since though. It was a truly dreadful song but I think that was the point. 

Verdict - Rubbish

14. PM Dawn - Looking Through Patient Eyes

The penultimate Top 40 hit for PM Dawn and the last time they'll feature in these posts as the last one made number 40. It was their 2nd biggest Top 40 hit and thinking about it I would say if I had to name a PM Dawn record aside from the obvious one then this would probably be it. This one samples "Father Figure" by George Michael and has Cathy Dennis on backing vocals. 

Verdict - Good

13. Jamiroquai - Too Young To Die

The Top 40 debut for Jamiroquai. I wasn't familiar with the name Jamiroquai until a couple of years later but this is a record I definitely remember at the time. In fact I think it even took a while for me to learn the title. After reading all the references to Stevie Wonder in the video comments, maybe I assumed it was a Stevie Wonder record at the time. 

Verdict - Good

12. Annie Lennox - Little Bird / Love Song For A Vampire

This double a-side is often a question on Popmaster and that's how I learned it was a double a-side. "Little Bird" was the one I remember being played at the time and I never really thought much of it. I have no recollection of hearing "Love Song For A Vampire" at the time. I've heard it since and don't think much of it either.

Verdict - Rubbish / Rubbish

11. Therapy? - ShortSharpShock (EP)

The lead song from this EP is "Screamager" which is probably their best known song. It was also their only Top 10 hit. The intro is simple but effective, it's the part of the song that everyone remembers. We all played it on our guitars too.

Verdict - Good

10. David Bowie - Jump They Say (New)

It had been 6 years since David Bowie had last been in the Top 40 with a new record. In that time he lost his 3rd place in terms of most Top 40 hits to Elton John but was back in joint 3rd with this record. It was also his penultimate Top 10 hit to date with the final one coming 20 years later. I've honestly never understood the fuss about David Bowie. Yes he was a little different in his hey day, but I've never been able to get into his music. I'm sure even his fans would agree he was past his best by this point.

Verdict - Rubbish 

9. Michael Jackson - Give In To Me

The singles kept on coming from the "Dangerous" album with this being the 7th. Whilst most of these singles had been new jack swing ones, this one was a rock song with Slash playing the guitar on it. I never liked it at the time because in my mind it couldn't be a proper rock song if it was by Michael Jackson. It has grown on me since.

Verdict - Good

8. Cliff Richard - Peace In Our Time (New)

One of many Cliff Richard songs I don't remember. Might have been one where the DJ had to assure people they were listening to Radio 1 after it was played in the Top 40 countdown.

Verdict - Rubbish

7. Ugly Kid Joe - Cats In The Cradle

I'd actually heard the original Harry Chapin version which never made the UK Top 40 prior to this cover. As a youngster at the time though I was in favour of the more modern version so was never put off.

Verdict - Good

6. Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way

When it came to peoples Top 10 bands, solo artists were allowed though they rarely featured because rock music was mostly done by bands. One solo artist in many peoples Top 10 around this time was Lenny Kravitz based on this record alone. Then it became apparent this was the same man who did "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" a couple of years prior and he followed this up with the very mellow "Believe". We all still liked this song though, but he was no longer worthy of a place in our Top 10s.

Verdict - Good

5. The Bluebells - Young At Heart (New)

This originally made the Top 40 in 1984 but topped the charts when re-released in 1993 after it featured on the Volkswagen Golf advert. It wasn't until years later that I realised this was an old record. It's a great feel good record.

Verdict - Good

4. 2 Unlimited - No Limit

The tune which knocked Whitney Houston off number one which everybody sang "there's no lyrics" to. I'm terrible at making out lyrics in songs and I remember being criticised for not knowing the words to the other bit she sings and remember other people telling me what the words were. My thoughts were they would have been better of genuinely having no lyrics.

Verdict - Rubbish

3. Shabba Ranks - Mr Loverman

This is the record Shabba Ranks is best known for. It only made number 23 the first time round but then returned to the charts in 1993 when it made number 3. During the time between this he made his infamous appearance on "The Word" which I thought killed his career but it seemed to have the opposite effect. It's good in a 90s nostalgia sort of way.

Verdict - Good

2. Snow - Informer

I don't think anyone knew the words to this when it came out, but in the chorus people would sing "I'll lick your bum bum now". I always assumed they weren't the real lyrics and with the benefit of the internet I can see it's "A licky boom boom down". It's regarded by many as a bit of a joke record but I always quite liked it and I challenge anyone to singalong word for word, I'm sure most would struggle.

Verdict - Good

1. Shaggy - Oh Carolina

I was yet to enter my phase as a rock purist because when this record came out it was my favourite song. I was such a fan that when I was getting sunglasses to go on holiday I said I wanted sunglasses like Shaggy. 

Verdict - Good

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 18/30, or 60%. Some classics and some not so classics this week.

Snoop Dogg @ The O2 21/03/2023

The last time I'd bought tickets to see Snoop Dogg in concert it ended up being cancelled after he was banned from the country. Then in 2019 I bought tickets to see him at The O2 with the concert taking place in April 2020 and we all know what happened then. More postponements happened and I started doubting it would ever happen, but it finally did this week.

I'll start with my obligatory rant about The O2. They no longer do paper tickets or even pdf tickets you can print out. Instead you have to use an app which is fuckin annoying. It took me ages to figure out how to get to the tickets. Have the app by all means, but give people the option of paper tickets. You are able to take your credit card and ID to the box office on the night, but the credit card I bought it with in 2019 has long since expired. The queue at the box office on the night was also huge which goes to show people don't want these sodding apps.

I opted not to drink beer on the night but I went to the bar just to see how much of a rip off their beer is these days. It was £8.50 a pint, absolutely disgusting that they charge these prices. I think you have to buy it on an app too so I think it's safe to say I've already had my final pint at The O2.

Onto the gig then and we had a DJ warming up to start off with. He played some classics by a lot of the big name rappers from the 90s and early 00s as well as some shit by the likes of Rihanna and Beyonce. Given Snoop Dogg himself has collaborated with some pretty abysmal artists in more recent years I guess that was to be expected.

Then up came Versatile, an Irish rap duo I'd never heard of. They were funny but I won't be in a hurry to go out and buy their music. They'd done a collaboration with Coolio and paid tribute to him by covering  "Gangsta's Paradise" and I found it funny hearing them rap it in an Irish accent.

Next up was D12, well 2 members of D12 anyway. I'd not heard anything of theirs since the "D12 World" album but it would seem they've not really done anything since. They fitted in a lot of tunes from their 2 albums and I enjoyed it.

Then it was time for Snoop Dogg himself which began a video of him backstage asking if we're ready for him to rock this motherfucker. He arrived on stage to "The Next Episode".

There was a time when I owned all his albums and I have his first 10. He'd released a further 9 albums since including 2 since the gig was originally going to take place. I'd listened to said albums back in 2019 to get myself up to date but have long forgotten anything on them.

I had no such thing to worry about though, he was mostly doing the classics with plenty from his debut album "Doggystyle", just the way I wanted it.

He also did some of his more questionable modern collaborations with Katy Perry, Jason Derulo and David Guetta, but you can't have it all. The lack of Katy Perry and Jason Derulo actually being there meant those performances were short and more tolerable.

One of his earlier collaborators who is sadly no longer with us was Nate Dogg. We had "Aint No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" with the recording of Nate Dogg's vocals which was good to hear. It's possibly my favourite Snoop Dogg tune.

There was also a tribute to 2Pac via their collaboration "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" and he also covered "California Love" but only did the Dr Dre verse. He also paid tribute to Notorious BIG by covering "Hypnotize".

Perhaps the most bizarre cover of the night was "Too Close" by Next. This was followed by a screening of his "Just Eat" advert before he came back out and covered "Jump Around" by House Of Pain.

It was then another video which this time had Pharrell Williams telling us to sing "Minnie the Moocher" but change the lyrics to "Snoop Doggy Doggy Dogg". Snoop Dogg then came out one last time to do "Drop it Like it's Hot" and "Who Am I (What's My Name)" followed by a couple of more modern records.

It's quite odd really that a man with so many albums performed so many covers or tracks that don't even appear on his albums. At the same time though that's what I'd want from a Snoop Dogg gig if I'm honest. It was the "I Wanna Thank Me" tour but he did nothing from that album. I recall it being one of his better modern albums, but had he mostly done tunes from that album it wouldn't have been as good.

Overall it was a great night and worth the wait.

Top 30 in 1996 Reviewed: Week 12

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 27 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Friday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1996 with my verdict on each record:

30. Bon Jovi - These Days

We're still in the era of Bon Jovi that I hated at the time. I've grown to like some of the hits from this period retrospectively, but this sounds every much as bland as I remember it being. It was taken from the album of the same name.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Queen - Too Much Love Will Kill You

When Brian May performed this at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert and then hit the Top 40 with it, we all thought it was written as a tribute to Freddie Mercury. Then 4 years later here is Freddie Mercury actually singing it. Turns out this was recorded in 1989 and didn't make the cut for "The Miracle" album. It became the 44th Top 40 hit for Queen and first to be co-written by anyone outside of the band. As I liked the Brian May version it's difficult to not like this one. 

Verdict - Good

28. Eternal - Good Thing

This was the final Top 40 hit where Eternal could enjoy pretty much having the monopoly of British girl groups. Maybe they knew this was the last time they could say they had such a good thing. I'd take this over the Spice Girls any day, but that's not saying much. 

Verdict - Rubbish

27. Blameless - Breathe (A Little Deeper) (New)

Here's something unusual, a British indie band in 1996 who didn't fall under the Britpop banner. Their music was considered to be too American for that. I must admit I did suspect they might be American from listening to this and it was only looking them up that confirmed they were British. It's a bit dull though I have to say.

Verdict - Rubbish

26. Peter Andre - Only One

If you want a trick question in a music quiz then a good one would be what was Peter Andre's debut Top 40 hit? The obvious answer would be "Mysterious Girl", but it's actually this record. I think this record was well known enough at the time, but the name Peter Andre not so much. I can't say I was a fan of it at the time, but listening all these years later it really hasn't aged well at all.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Joan Osborne - One Of Us

The Top 40 debut and biggest hit for Joan Osborne, though the only one to feature here as her follow up failed to make the Top 40. I quite like the concept of god taking a bus back to heaven and getting a phone call from the pope. The first time I realised how much I liked this song was when it came on in a pub.

Verdict - Good

24. Lighthouse Family - Lifted

The 2nd Top 40 hit for the Lighthouse Family and the one which made them household names. They divide opinion but I find some of their music quite soothing and this is one of those. A great tune to listen to whilst driving on a country lane, not that I think I've ever done that. 

Verdict - Good

23. Tina Turner - Whatever You Want (New)

One of the songwriters on this record was Taylor Dayne alongside Arthur Baker and Fred Zarr. The latter also was one of the writers of "Where Is My Man" by Eartha Kitt and in a way this sounds like Tina Turner is trying to do something across between that and a Taylor Dayne song. As I don't like that record in question or and Taylor Dayne songs I've heard that means that this is dreadful.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. Tori Amos - Talula (New)

I mentioned when reviewing the previous Tori Amos hit that I recall hearing on the Top 40 that she got expelled from school as a kid and I remembered hearing that fact more than I remembered the actual song. Thinking about it, I'd say it was more likely before playing this record. The single version was remixed by BT, who she would collaborate with on a later single. Not very memorable, but I feel this record has more life in it and could grow on me so I'll give it half a mark.

Verdict - OK

21. Shaggy - Something Different / The Train Is Coming (New)

This was the first Top 40 hit by Shaggy that I don't remember the first time around. It was the first one to chart outside the Top 20 which may explain it. I did however get to know both of these tunes when I bought his greatest hits a few years later. "Something Different" features Wayne Wonder a few years before he became a well known artist in his own right with "No Letting Go". "The Train Is Coming" is a cover of a Ken Boothe record and features Ken Boothe himself. Both decent records.

Verdict - Good / Good

20. Supergrass - Going Out

I've not heard this one in a long time and my memory of it is being a more miserable follow up to the very cheerful "Alright". Now I'm listening to it I realise that it's a pretty decent tune. I was trying to remember how the verses went but there isn't any really, in fact there's not many words to the song at all but enough to get an idea of what they're singing about. 

Verdict - Good

19. Gary Numan - Cars (Premier Mix)

This originally topped the charts in 1979 and then remixed in 1987 as the E Reg model and now we have the Premier Mix. It doesn't sound hugely different to the original version, which at least means it hasn't been ruined.

Verdict - Good

18. 3T - Anything

You have to feel sorry for Tito Jackson really, a musician in his own right yet 3T were best known as Michael Jacksons nephews as opposed to Tito Jacksons sons. What I remember about this at the time was one of them having a backpack on that he'd throw to the ground part way through the song. No idea why he did that, maybe a distraction from the fact it's not a very good song.

Verdict - Rubbish

17. Louise - In Walked Love

The 2nd Top 40 hit for Louise after she left Eternal. It's a cover of a record by Expose, an American group who were big in the freestyle scene in America but have just a solitary number 75 to their name chart wise in the UK. As you would expect, this is in every way inferior to the original. 

Verdict - Rubbish

16. DJ Misjah And DJ Tim - Access (New)

This record had already become well established in the underground prior to hitting the UK Top 40. If you went to a techno room in 1995 it was almost inevitable that you would hear this tune. One of those records that got commercial through it's popularity rather than being created to sell to the masses. 

Verdict - Good

15. Gat Decor - Passion

This is a remix of a 1992 record with the lyrics to "Do You Want It Right Now" by Degrees of Motion. I mention Now 33 being played to death at the time and I recall this being the first track of side 2 of tape 2 which was the best part of the compilation, but that hardly ever got played.

Verdict - Good

14. Luniz - I Got 5 On It

The Top 40 debut for Luniz and the only record many people know them for. It's an anthem no doubt which is possibly both a blessing and a curse for them. A blessing that they have such an iconic record but a curse that people only talk about the record and not Luniz as an act.

Verdict - Good

13. Celine Dion - Falling Into You

A coming together of Rick Nowels who wrote most of Belinda Carlisle's hits and Billy Steinberg who'd written hit for a number of female musicians produced this which sounds like, well a Celine Dion record. She made it her own I guess, that's pretty much the only positive thing I can think of about this record.

Verdict - Rubbish

12. Technohead - I Wanna Be A Hippy

In 1995 I was singing this all the time, and those not into rave had no idea what I was singing with some even thinking I was making it up. In 1996 here it was in the Top 40. Technohead were a British husband/wife duo who'd recorded under several aliases over the years. In the early 90s they relocated to Holland and topped the charts with this. By the time it charted over here though one of them had sadly passed away.

Verdict - Good

11. Madonna - One More Chance (New)

The 40th Top 40 hit for Madonna, a milestone few acts had reached at the time. Listening to the intro I'm thinking is she trying to do "More Than Words" by Extreme. That's as exciting as it gets. It was written with her "You'll See" collaborator David Foster and both records were made for her greatest hits ballad album. Sounds dull.

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Menswear - Being Brave (New)

The 4th and biggest Top 40 hit for Menswear. The way I read the situation at the time was that the band were a bit of a joke initially and this was them trying to be taken more seriously. The result though is a song that's pretty dreary.

Verdict - Rubbish

9. The Beatles - Real Love

Like it's predecessor "Free As A Bird" this started out as a John Lennon demo with the remaining Beatles adding their parts and produced by Jeff Lynne. It's the 30th and final original Beatles Top 40 hit to date. I'd say this sounds more like The Beatles sounded in the 60s than how you'd imagine them to sound in the 90s, but that's no bad thing especially as they achieved the latter on their previous hit.

Verdict - Good

8. Shed Seven - Going For Gold (New)

The 6th Top 40 hit and only Top 10 hit to date for Shed Seven. This is the single which made them household names which was helped a lot by Chris Evans playing it on his radio show all the time. I never got the appeal personally.

Verdict - Rubbish

7. Boyzone - Coming Home Now

Believe it or not, this record was written by the 5 members of Boyzone and nobody else. I struggle to believe it myself, it follows that poundland 70s soul music formula that's been done several times by seasoned songwriters and producers who seem more likely to have written it. Anyway if it's true then at least some of them have talent as songwriters as it does take skill to write crap too.

Verdict - Rubbish

6. Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack

I remember when this first entered the charts it was at number six for three weeks in a row. It would eventually climb to number one, the first time a record climbed to number one rather than go straight in at number one for a while. I always found Mark Morrison quite hard to take seriously with the way he sang. Still not a bad record though.

Verdict - OK

5. Gabrielle - Give Me A Little More Time

Despite being a brand new record in 1996, this sounds like it could have easily come out in 1966. That's not a bad thing though. I do remember hearing this a lot at the time so I did get a bit sick of it, but still not a bad tune.

Verdict - OK

4. Garbage - Stupid Girl (New)

The 3rd Top 40 hit for Garbage which was also their first Top 10 and their biggest hit to date. I honestly don't know what to make of it after all these years and hearing it many times. It's certainly nothing to get excited about but I don't exactly dislike it either. I guess that's what the half mark is for.

Verdict - OK

3. Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger

I find interviews with Noel Gallagher nowadays very entertaining and do find myself agreeing with a lot of what he says about music that I don't like. I can't say the same about his music though. I never understood why Oasis were so popular, their music was just so dull in my opinion. Not only is this tune dull though, it's rather annoying too.

Verdict - Rubbish

2. Robert Miles - Children

A record you definitely couldn't avoid hearing in 1996, but what a tune. Like many dance records at the time, this was already over a year old by the time it was released. It's one of those tunes you can sit back and relax to but also get up and dance to, and I've done both.

Verdict - Good

1. Take That - How Deep Is Your Love

I have happy memories of this record coming out as we knew (or should I say thought) this was the end of the band. To me, doing a cover as your final song is quite a pathetic way to go out. Saying that, they could have done "Twinkle Twinkle" and it would have probably still got to number one and give them that final pay cheque they were looking for.

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 14/30, or 47%. We do seem to be hovering above and below to 50% mark a lot.