January 1999. The Euro currency is launched, but Britain opts to keep the pound. Was this an early sign that they weren't quite all in on the United Europe thing? Perhaps. Anyway, here are the songs that people were spending the most pounds on at the time.
40 - "I'm Your Angel," Celine Dion and R. Kelly
Her thirteenth Top Ten here, his fifth. Kelly wrote it, in the same uplifting ballad vein as "I Believe I Can Fly." She's an institution, he probably should be in one.
39 - "Powertrip," Monster Magnet
The biguest hit for these New Jersey stoner rockers was this metallic number about defying what others think and making your own way. Not as good as my favorite of theirs, "Negasonic Teenage Warhead," but very good.
38 - "I Want You '98," Savage Garden
A re-release of the band's 1997 single that broke them in most countries, but didn't hit here until after their next two singles went Top 5. For me, it's the only thing they did that mattered. Silly lyrics delivered rapid fire to stock dance-rock hits my sweet spot for some reason.
37 - "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)," Jay-Z
Shawn Carter's pop breakthrough was this irresistible combination of rhymes about striving to escape street life and the song sung by the oppressed orphans in the musical Annie. A clash of genres and images that ends in perfection. It's the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of music.
36 - "Right Here Right Now," Fierce
The first of four hits for this U.K. R&B trio was this dance jam about making the most of a moment. Just a song that slots in to its genre in its time, and nothing more.
35 - "Wish I Were You," Alisha's Attic
Londoners Shelly and Karen Poole are the daughters of Brian Poole from 60s band The Tremeloes, and they managed eight hits of their own. Their sixth was this slick song about envying a fashionable peer. There's talent there, but I wonder if they had better showcases for it.
34 - "Take Me There," Blackstreet with Mya featuring Mase and Blinky Blink
The fourth and final Top Ten here for the soul group best known for "No Diggity" was this playful tune featuring contributions from singer Mya and two rappers from the Bad Boy label. It came from the soundtrack of The Rugrats Movie, and all is suitably G rated. But even as an adult, I am charmed.
33 - "1999," Prince
A predictable reissue of Mr. Nelson's 1982 forecast of millennial doom. At the time, rumblings of the Y2K computer bug were making that seem at least marginally possible. But the sky didn't turn purple, no one had a lion in their pocket, and everybody did not have a bomb. So all in all, it wasn't that bad.
32 - "When You Believe," Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston
The ultimate 90s diva summit came about for this big ballad from the soundtrack of The Prince of Egypt, an animated movie about Moses. It's inspirational territory both had trod successfully before, and they sell it as best they can. There's no perceptible attempts at one-upmanship, but Whitney wins the duel on my scorec
31 - "Girls Night Out," Alda
The second-biggest Icelandic female singer of the 90s, Alda Olafsdottir had her biggest hit with this danceable tribute to female bonding. The only intersting parts are lyrics about a "male girlfriend" and cooking an onion when she's married. Those are the only moments when she lives up to her middle name: Bjork.
30 - "Especially for You," Denise and Johnny
Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan were the co-hosts of the popular morning show The Big Breakfast. Van Outen left the program at the end of 1998, and to mark the occasion the two recorded a cover of a hit ballad from 1988 by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. The original isn't great, and this isn't an improvement.
29 - "The Wind," PJ Harvey
Dorset native Polly Jean Harvey has been one of the most influential names in British rock since her debut in 1991. She's never set out to have hit singles, but she often managed to chart in the 20s and 30s with songs like this. It's whispers dance-rock inspired by St. Catherine of Alexandria, who lived in the 4th century in Roman-occupied Egypt and was martyred for her faith. This is good. Check it out, and if you like it, explore further.
28 - "No Regrets/Antmusic," Robbie Williams
The former Take That man picked up his seventh solo Top Ten with this mature pop song about a breakup. It has Neil Tennant on backing vocals, and that's not all that give st his a Pet Shop Boys feel. The B side seems to me like Robbie wondered what a nu-metal cover of Adam and the Ants would sound like, so he decided to do it himself and share it with the world. Um...thanks?
27 - "Tom's Party," T-Spoon
The second and last British hit for this Dutch group is basic rapped Eurodance with a sample of Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner" thrown in. It sounds just like you imagine it would.
26 - "To You I Belong," B*Witched
The third of the Irish girl group's four #1 is this love ballad. It's got some Irish instrumentation on it. Quality product.
25 - "I Love the Way You Love Me," Boyzone
And now an Irish boy band, with their thirteenth Top Five. It's actually a nice ballad about appreciating little things about your lover. Or maybe I've just gotten old and sappy. Too bad, I'm not going back.
24 - "Always Have, Always Will," Ace of Base
The Swedes' penultimate U.K. hit was this uncharacteristoically retro-Motown number. A nice surprise. But I think I like these guys more than I theoretically should anyway.
23 - "Up and Down," Vengaboys
The breakthrough hit by the Dutch dance group whose later hit "We Like to Party" would later be best known for soundtrack ingredients amusement park commercials featuring an old man dancing. This sounds similar to that, with the lyrics mostly being the title phrase being delivered in the style of an aerobics instructor. Good if you like the sillier end of the Euro sound.
22 - "Miami," Will Smith
The future star of Bright takes his talents to South Beach to celebrate the nightlife and women found there. I like him better in Philly or Bel Air.
21 - "Up to the Wildstyle," Porn Kings featuring DJ Supreme
This Liverpool dancemail ensemble had their biggest hit twaming up with a Brixton DJ on this techno-rap track. Pretty listenable, as these things go.
In Part Two: transportation, exaltation, and a delicious double entendre.
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