B*Witched – To You I Belong
After topping the chart with their first two singles, B*Witched returned to ostensibly make a bid for the Christmas #1 spot with ‘To You I Belong’.
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Louise – Let’s Go Round Again
With Louise’s second album campaign in full swing, her success continued into the festive season with a well-timed cover of ‘Let’s Go Round Again’.
Michelle Branch – Breathe
‘Breathe’ wasn’t released in the UK when Michelle Branch’s second album was abandoned after one single. But it did, at least, become a modest hit in America.
a1 – Same Old Brand New You
After scoring their first #1 single, a1’s sights were set on pop music’s A-list, and ‘Same Old Brand New You’ proved that’s precisely where they deserved to be.
Britney Spears – Gimme More
Britney Spears took creative control on her fifth album, and with three words, the lead single made a now-iconic statement of defiance: “It’s Britney, bitch”
Shayne Ward – That’s My Goal
‘That’s My Goal’ isn’t a particularly unique song, but it does have the redeeming quality of being one of the few X Factor winners’ singles not to be a cover.
Madonna – 4 Minutes (Feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland)
Madonna teamed up with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake for ‘4 Minutes’, but in doing so, some argued that she ended up sounding like a guest on her own single.
Anastacia – One Day In Your Life
Anastacia’s second album might’ve been called ‘Freak Of Nature’, but ‘One Day In Your Life’ could scarcely have been a more perfect pop song.
Delta Goodrem – Believe Again
‘Believe Again’ felt like the epic, orchestral rebirth of Delta Goodrem’s career and changed the status quo of what she was capable of.
A*Teens – I Promised Myself
As A*Teens embarked on a hiatus, they released ‘I Promised Myself’ with a music video that set the standard for greatest hits singles.
Spice Girls – 2 Become 1
The Spice Girls being Christmas #1 in 1996 was a given, but there’s a reason why ‘2 Become 1’ is their biggest-selling, best-known ballad.
Sugababes – Ugly
‘Ugly’ proved the Sugababes were taller in more ways and stronger than ever…until everything changed a few weeks after it was released.
Kylie Minogue – Please Stay
‘Please Stay’ was the fourth – and final – single from ‘Light Years’ in the UK…but it came at the expense of a fan-favourite.
Britney Spears – From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart
While ‘Born To Make You Happy’ was Britney Spears’ fourth single in Europe, America got ‘From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart’ instead.
Cher – The Music’s No Good Without You
‘The Music’s No Good Without You’ is a beautiful, melancholic masterpiece, even if it was always destined to exist in the shadow of ‘Believe’.
Spice Girls – Too Much
With sponsorship deals galore, plus a movie and video game in the pipeline, there was no stopping the Spice Girls as they claimed a second Christmas #1
Britney Spears – Stronger
‘Stronger’ was always a powerhouse pop song for Britney Spears. But now, it’s a triumphant anthem of survival.
Steps – Heartbeat
With Christmas fast approaching, ’90s pop music tradition dictated that it was finally time for Steps to release a ballad.
Spice Girls – Wannabe
In just under three minutes, the Spice Girls changed the face of pop music forever with their debut single.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Get Over You
The hits just kept on coming for Sophie Ellis-Bextor as ‘Get Over You’ accompanied a reissue of her debut album.
Ellie Campbell – Don’t Want You Back
Almost two years after her first top 40 single, Ellie Campbell was back with one of the best songs Britney Spears never recorded.