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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Kelly Clarkson – I Do Not Hook Up
With Kelly Clarkson back atop the chart, what better way to keep her there than releasing a song co-written by Katy Perry? It seemed like a foolproof plan…
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.
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.
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.
Kelly Clarkson – My Life Would Suck Without You
‘My Life Would Suck Without You’ was a brilliant comeback for Kelly Clarkson, even if the record label politics behind it remain questionable.
Westlife – Obvious
‘Obvious’ mastered the Westlife formula but found itself overshadowed when Brian McFadden quit the group weeks after the single was released.
Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone
‘Since U Been Gone’ wasn’t just a seminal moment in Kelly Clarkson’s career; it also marked the mid-’00s resurgence of Max Martin.
Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent
‘Miss Independent’ was a perfect (re)introduction to Kelly Clarkson, even if she wasn’t the first – or second – choice to record it.
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.
Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway
‘Breakaway’ was only ever intended to be a stopgap single for Kelly Clarkson, but it quickly became one of her biggest hits.
Five – Let’s Dance
‘Let’s Dance’ is a fascinating snapshot of a group at the height of their success while simultaneously verging on the point of implosion.
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(!)
*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.
Christina Aguilera – Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)
‘Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)’ is – for better or for worse – the perfect summation of Christina Aguilera as a pop artist.
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 – World Of Our Own
‘World Of Our Own’ was the perfect summation for this era of Westlife’s career as they broke free of the balladry that once defined them.
Five – Until The Time Is Through
They might have been pop’s biggest rebels in the late ’90s, but even Five didn’t defy convention as they released a slushy ballad just in time for Christmas.
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.
Avril Lavigne – My Happy Ending
‘My Happy Ending’ helped Avril Lavigne transition through a difficult second album, showing there was more to her than a “sk8er boi” gimmick