No. 8 Out of Control (Chemical Brothers)
I offer respect to the Brothers for the amount of studio time which must be spent on a track like this, where you must have to put the sounds together for a long time before you can begin to put the song together. Why reward lazy track loopers (Vengaboys?) when you can buy stuff like this. There's so much going on for one dance single.
But it's not just the hard work. The breakdown in the centre section is a fabulous mix of live instruments and electronic effects. I can imagine Underworld wondering what day it was they got so high they can't remember writing such a brilliant piece.
No. 9 My Name Is (Eminem)
What can I say, cuss-tastic! It's an entertaining and catchy song, with mix-and-match lyrics depending on the censorship context. The content is entertaining and about as outrageous as you can get. Eminem adequately "makes up" for his complexion; by ripping into his own mother!
I never did see the whole video.
No. 10 Keep on Movin' (5ive)
Westlife would get a good kicking from these boys, I bet you!
My only boy band entry. I know they may never write an original song, but I'm just pleased with them for singing an original song. And it's quite good. Provided that they Keep on Working with quality writers, long may they continue.
Of course my top ten isn't perfect. For instance, there are a number of club tunes (notably trance and R'n'B) which I appreciate, but don't know the song or artist's names.
Trance is the worst, because you can't even quote the words to someone who might know!
Trance music has been a powerful feature in the UK in 1999. The fact that there are no words makes songwriting a level playing field worldwide. For trance music we must of course bow down to the Germans, who seem to supply the majority.
e.g. Paul Van Dyk (right), who is a resident DJ at Gatecrasher in Sheffield. Although I haven't been, I would say that Gatecrasher has been UK popular club of 1999.
And now...
If you have read this section carefully and with interest, you may now progress onto an extra bonus page!
Those of you who were not paying proper attention....it's only more of the same, so don't bother.