1 - 10

001. Beyonce - Crazy In Love
002. Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
003. The Archies - Sugar Sugar
004. Röyksopp – Only This Moment
005. Blur - To The End
006. The Coral - Dreaming Of You
007. Faithless - Insomnia
008. Mansun - I Can Only Disappoint U
009. Dionne Warwick - Heartbreaker
010. Outkast - Hey Ya!
 

1.                                                                                                                         Beyonce - Crazy In Love
Chart position: #1

I remember my first hearing of Beyonce's debut-single clearly and I recall thinking "What the fuck is THIS?". It completely blew me away and kept me pinned to the seat for it's full duration.

From the opening looped brass sample, to the "Oh o oh o oh o oh o, na na na" hook, to the sheer spirit & energy Beyonce invests into it, it's a mesmerising piece of work. And one of the, if not the, most catchy and instantly-enjoyable singles of modern times. When I think of "pop music" I think of this, not the dead-eyed, sulky likes of Dido & James Blunt. It makes you wanna get up and do something.

Some people don't like the Jay-Z cameo towards the end of the track, I do, and feel it compliments the track beautifully. Beyonce added lyrics and melody therefore the track is credited to her, yet it was the production of Rich Harrison that lifted it to another level. The brass-sample was his idea, as was the live-drums heard throughout. Another great track he recently worked on was "1 Thing" by Amerie, which is basically "Crazy In Love"'s slightly less-attractive sister, but you still would anyway.

I highly doubt Beyonce will ever top it or even come close. It's truly inspired from chaotic start to shuddering finish, and that's why I believe it deserves a place in this list.

2.
Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
Chart Position: #6

I first heard this years ago, though I recently rediscovered it after the fantastic video was given an airing on VH1, and it brought back great memories of when I was younger and hearing music for the first time.

It's one of those great singles in that it's instantly recognisable. You know exactly what it is from the twinkling-opening, you're there every time when David Byrne's spoken-vocals come in, and by the time it reaches the chorus everyone within earshot is signing along.

According to Wikipedia, it's "usually interpreted to be a song dealing with the middle age crisis and the inevitable sacrifice of youthful ideals and dreams for conventional success".

And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!

Some so-called critics have labelled this track as being "wacky" or "novelty", yet in my opinion it's a wonderfully inventive piece of songwriting and still stands out as being totally unique and strangely moving, twenty-six years later. It ranks as one of my favourite Brian Eno productions too, as it sounds amazing.

It went on to be covered by the Smashing Pumpkins, though it's a version I'm yet to hear. Also, again according to Wikipedia, "the lyrics were parodied to summarize the plot of the first season of the ABC drama "Lost". Which is slightly bizarre!

Anyway, great great songwriting, wonderful production, inspired lyrics, and a chorus I'll never tire of. A brilliant single.
 

3.
The Archies - Sugar Sugar
Chart Position: #1



OK, The Archies wasn’t a real band per say, but there’s no escaping the sheer brilliance of this tune and the way it still sounds as fresh as the day it was released. A short, catchy, irresistible pop gem, if ever there was one. It's right up there with The Jackson 5's "ABC" and The Beatles' "She Loves You" for stunning pop simplicity that anyone & everyone can enjoy.

It’s the sound of 60’s kids dancing on a Friday night with grins wider than an ocean of their faces, as that girl they fancy from school dances inches away with the school-bully. It’s about longing for that girl that constantly invades your thoughts and the narrator imagining how sweet she really is and if he’ll ever get to find out for himself.

Or maybe I’m talking shite and it’s simply a great throwaway pop single. I’ll let you decide.

4.

Röyksopp – Only This Moment
Chart Position: #33

According to my LastFm profile, this is my most-played track since I signed-up to the site in November of last year. Fifty-five plays in that time, apparently. I actually thought it’d be more. I absolutely adore this tune, to the point where it actually makes me a bit teary at times, I enjoy it so much. It’s just so beautiful. So utterly, utterly beautiful.

I enjoyed Royksopp’s previous album, “Melody AM”, but for me, this surpasses anything on that record and “The Understanding”, the album this single came from. I honestly think it’s near-on perfect in every way. Just a wonderfully-realised slice of electronic beauty, with gorgeous vocals and heartbreaking lyrics. It’s almost dreamlike for me as it’s so feather-light in sound and it tends to carries me off to other places.

For some reason, it reminds me of being on holiday with my best mates and listening to music and having a drink on the apartment-balcony before we’re about to go out. Some of the happiest times of my life so far. Maybe that’s why it gets me emotionally at times. Well that, and the fact it couldn't sound more beautiful!

Anyway, if you haven’t heard this, please give it a spin, it’s lovely.

Only this (moment)
Holds us (together)
Close to (perfection)
Nothing else (out there)
No one to (guide us)
Lost in the (senses)
Deep down inside I know our love will die

Stay or forever go
Play or you’ll never know
We haven’t decided
You can’t deny it’s all you’ve been waiting for
Okay..
Stay or forever go
Play or you’ll never know
Your spirit’s divided
You will decide if I’m all you'll be waiting for

Guilt in my head
Have Been part of my twist
By the force of an angel
Revealing our fates
And our words don’t make sense and I do understand,
Falling in love isn’t part of our plan
Forces within me, makes reason with lust
But I try to accept it and not think it works
'Cause I know I might lose you by taking a chance
But love without pain isn’t really romance

Only this (moment)
Holds us (together)
Close to (perfection)
Nothing else (out there)
Always (beside her)
Trusting (my senses)
Deep down inside I know I will survive

5.

Blur - To The End
Chart Position: #16

Britpop is always remembered for the cheeky-chappy uptempo tunes such as Oasis’ “Roll With It” or Supergrass’ “Alright”, yet people forget the “scene” also produced some gorgeous ballads, this being one of my absolute favourites. As a 14 year old just getting into "credible, grown-up" music, my first hearing of it on the "Parklife" album totally blew me away.

Melodically it’s possibly Damon Albarn’s finest moment, lyric-wise I have no doubts whatsoever. It’s terribly moving. A beautiful break-up song that doesn’t feel sorry for itself at any point, just remembers the good times, and the heartfelt lyrics would put a tear in the eye of anyone that’s ever come to the end of a great romance. Neither side is blamed, the love that’s now fading is celebrated for how great it was, but ultimately “it looks like we’ve made it to the end”.

Lyrically, it’s laid completely open, and you've got to remember that such a song from Damon Albarn was almost unthinkable back in 94. I have no doubt it’s critical and commercial success led him to write the likes of “Out Of Time”, “No Distance Left To Run”, and “Tender”, equally bare-boned tracks, free of restraint of telling it exactly how it was for him at that moment.

Without doubt my favourite Blur ballad. Incredibly moving, beautifully realised and produced, and Damon’s vocals will crack your heart in two every time.

6.

The Coral - Dreaming Of You
Chart position: #13

I feel this track deserves a place in this list as I’m yet to meet a single person who actively dislikes it.

When it first came out I remember playing it several times in a row, never tiring of it once. It’s like a great lost 60’s record you swear you’ve heard before cos it’s so instantly memorable & addictive.

I reckon even Lee Mavers allowed himself a wry smile when he heard it, cos without him I can’t imagine this tune would have ever existed. It’s pure La’s, pure Mersey beat, and for me, The Coral’s finest moment thus far.
 

7.

Faithless - Insomnia
Chart position: #3

When I first started going clubbing, back in the day, this tune seemed to be a staple in every place we went. Normally to a huge cheer from seemingly everyone in the building. It still provokes as much love several years later, and to me that’s a sure-fire sign of a truly great single.

I love the way it quietly builds & builds, Maxi Jazz's softly-spoken verses preparing us for the storm ahead. Once that storm hits, the whole club goes absolutely mental. It’s a brilliant, life-affirming club-moment for me, right up there with Born Slippy’s “lager” chant, and the swirling opening of “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough”, and it’s almost guaranteed to get everyone in the immediate vicinity cutting some rug like it’s their very last dance. Personally, I tend to po-go myself to death, though at 26 it's getting a lot harder to keep going 'til the end!

I’ve upped the full eight-minute version, as the single-cut really doesn’t do it justice. It's a big filesize, but it really is worth it. The lengthy build is what makes the eventual hook so much more enjoyable. That’s the long-awaited release, and like the rest of this classic single, it’s beyond magic.

8.

Mansun - I Can Only Disappoint U
Chart position: #8

It’ll probably surprise a few people to see the now defunct Mansun make this list, but this was one of the first tracks that sprang to mind when I first decided to write & compile this list.

A big favourite of mine in the summer of 2000, I must have played it at least three or four times a day in the first week after I bought it. Really loved it, and still do.

It’s just a really nice, catchy tune with straight-forward lyrics and (for Mansun, at least) pretty pared-down production, and it gets by purely cos of the strength of the song. I think Duran Duran would’ve been quite proud of this one.

9.

Dionne Warwick - Heartbreaker
Chart position: #2

Written by the Bee Gees, of course.

The first time I heard this record was during a four-hour car journey to visit my Grandparents in Devon, many a year ago. I was about nine or ten, I’d guess. Anyway, it was tradition for my family to stop halfway through the journey and have something to eat in the nearest roadside-café. This time we stopped at a Little Chef and after we’d eaten, my Dad decided to buy a tape from the mini gift-shop next to the til-point to kill a bit of time during the remainder of our journey. He bought Dionne Warwick’s Greatest Hits.

Even though I was young, I clearly remember thinking how instantly catchy & enjoyable every track was. By the time it reached “Heartbreaker”, my entire family was singing along, even though my two sisters & I had never heard the tune before. It’s never left my, ahem, heart since. Another track I have to hear several times a week, and never once tire of.

10.

Outkast - Hey Ya!

Chart position: #3

It’s a sodding must, isn’t it!

Another tune that absolutely blew me away when I first heard it on the radio. I love the way it blasts out of the speakers from out of nowhere and never lets up til it climaxes in a hail of beats and fat shaking arses (well at least at Buffet Headquarters).

It sounds so simple, yet absolutely everything about it is utterly perfect. From the beats, to the lyrics, to the spirited vocals, to the Earth-shuddering production.

The ultimate banger for any party, anywhere.

"Shake it", indeedy.

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© Copyright Dan Franklin 2006