Girls Aloud – Something Kinda Ooooh
‘Something Kinda Ooooh’ gave Girls Aloud their mojo back and deftly silenced rumours that the group might be about to split.
2023
Gareth Gates – Sunshine
‘Sunshine’ sought to disperse the storm clouds that had been gathering over Gareth Gates in time for the release of his second album.
Faith Hill – This Kiss
As pop and country collided in the late ’90s, ‘This Kiss’ earned Faith Hill an international breakthrough with her biggest hit yet.
Atomic Kitten – I Want Your Love
Using an inspired sample, Atomic Kitten’s third single ‘I Want Your Love’ is arguably the best example of what the group were conceived to be.
Liberty X – Jumpin’
‘Jumpin’ was an ambitious – if somewhat flawed – single from Liberty X as they prepared to release their second album.
Gina G – Gimme Some Love
Although it was one of her least successful UK singles, ‘Gimme Some Love’ earned Gina G a second top 50 hit in America.
Dannii Minogue – So Under Pressure
As Dannii Minogue prepared to release a career-spanning greatest hits, pressure mounted for a single that would return her to the top ten.
Five – Got The Feelin’
Five’s third single ‘Got The Feelin’ is a hazy summer jam that arrived in the UK just as the group were poised to break America.
Louise – Arms Around The World
The lead single from Louise’s second album had clear ambitions to further broaden her popularity…even if it sounded vaguely familiar.
Kelly Clarkson – Never Again
‘Never Again’ is about the only part of a difficult third album campaign for Kelly Clarkson where any focus was on the music.
Mini Viva – I Wish
Mini Viva’s second single wasn’t given a fair chance to be the hit it deserved thanks to some baffling decision-making by their record label.
Britney Spears – Me Against The Music (Feat. Madonna)
‘Me Against The Music’ was a well-timed collaboration between Britney Spears and Madonna, emerging from the fallout of their VMAs kiss.
Boyzone – Picture Of You
Boyzone broke with their trademark boyband balladry to team up with Mr Bean(!) for the retro-inspired ‘Picture Of You’.
Vanilla – No Way No Way
Were Vanilla the result of a record label bet or was ‘No Way No Way’ a genuine attempt to launch a pop act? Some things are best left a mystery.
Eternal – Just A Step From Heaven
There was no going back for Eternal after ‘Just A Step From Heaven’, which asserted their position as one of the biggest acts in the UK.
Mighty Morph’n Power Rangers – Power Rangers
Simon Cowell’s attempt to cash-in on the Power Rangers phenomenon resulted in an impressive piece of fan-service with an almighty twist.
Liberty – Thinking It Over
Despite being labelled ‘Flopstars’ by the press, Liberty had other ideas and made their chart debut with a very credible track.
Samantha Mumba – I’m Right Here
‘I’m Right Here’ proved to be an unexpectedly short-lived sentiment for Samantha Mumba when her big comeback faltered.
Abs – Stop Sign
Continuing in his bid for solo stardom, Abs released the retro-infused ‘Stop Sign’ as a long overdue second single.
Nicole Scherzinger – Don’t Hold Your Breath
After several false starts, ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’ earned Nicole Scherzinger the level of commercial success she deserved.
Spice Girls – Stop
‘Stop’ is still broadly defined by being the first Spice Girls song not to reach #1, but there’s so much more to it than that.