Five – Closer To Me
After announcing a sudden split weeks after the release of their third album, Five’s next single, ‘Closer To Me’, became an unexpected yet fitting swansong.
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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.
Abs – Stop Sign
Continuing in his bid for solo stardom, Abs released the retro-infused ‘Stop Sign’ as a long overdue second single.
Sarah Whatmore – Automatic
‘Automatic’ only missed the top 10 by a whisker, but that was enough to derail Sarah Whatmore’s promising pop career.
Sarah Whatmore – When I Lost You
After failing to make it past the live heats of ‘Pop Idol’, Simon Fuller stepped in to ensure Sarah Whatmore got her shot at stardom.
Gareth Gates – Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake)
Gareth Gates kept the spirit of Cheiron Studios alive with his brilliant second single, ‘Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake)’.
Robyn – Do You Know (What It Takes)
We didn’t know it at the time, but ‘Do You Know (What It Takes)’ was a landmark moment for pop music in the ’90s and far beyond.
Christina Aguilera – I Turn To You
‘I Turn To You’ saw Christina Aguilera resurrect a towering behemoth of glossy mid-‘90s balladry from the ‘Space Jam’ soundtrack(!)
Girl Thing – Last One Standing
‘Last One Standing’ marked the arrival of the next big pop phenomenon…if you could hear it over the sound of Simon Cowell’s ego.
Westlife – Swear It Again
‘Swear It Again’ was the start of a new era for pop music and there was no stopping Westlife as they showcased a tried-and-tested formula.
Westlife – Fool Again
‘Fool Again’ brought Westlife’s debut album campaign to a fittingly triumphant – if ever so slightly predictable – finale.
Five – When The Lights Go Out
International success felt like a case of when, not if, for Five. And it came remarkably quickly with the release of ‘When The Lights Go Out’.
*NSYNC – Thinking Of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)
It was never released in the UK, but the tortuous ‘Thinking Of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)’ is up there as one *NSYNC’s very best efforts.
*NSYNC – Tearin’ Up My Heart
It took two attempts, but ‘Tearin’ Up My Heart’ (eventually) became one of *NSYNC’s earliest hits in the UK
Little Trees – Help! I’m A Fish (I’m A Little Yellow Fish)
With ‘Help! I’m A Fish (I’m A Little Yellow Fish)’, Little Trees released the most important aquatic-themed hit since ‘Under The Sea’
Westlife – Bop Bop Baby
‘Bop Bop Baby’ broke with stool-perching tradition and showcased Westlife being as experimental as they ever were or would be again.
Mero – It Must Be Love
Mero burst onto into the charts with their debut single ‘It Must Be Love’, a very credible throwback to the days of Motown.
Robyn – Show Me Love
‘Show Me Love’ is a fascinating collaboration between two huge names in pop music who crossed paths while heading in drastically different directions.
Westlife – When You’re Looking Like That
‘When You’re Looking Like That’ is Westlife’s best single in every respect…except for the fact that it was never credited as a single in the UK at all.