30 August 2012 Here's Little Mix with their second Irish number one. 'Wings' still has one foot in The X Factor winner's-single idiom of inspirational journey. Happily, though, it forgoes that genre's usual sludgy balladry, instead going for up-tempo brass, handclaps and kick-bass drums. The verses are haters-be-hating sassy, the double-movement chorus is sweeping, the … Continue reading Little Mix – ‘Wings’
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Dickie Rock & The Miami – ‘Simon Says’
11 May 1968 How come no media outlet dusted off this 1968 Irish number one for their 2024 news packages of Simon Harris now running the country as Taoiseach? Because they'd be mortified, that's why! (Also, there's its cruel term about mental ability which we rightly no longer use.) Having said that, you could imagine … Continue reading Dickie Rock & The Miami – ‘Simon Says’
Of Monsters and Men – ‘Little Talks’
16 August 2012 Or if you like, the music from a ton of TV ads and montages but not the ukulele one, which is 'Riptide' by Vance Joy. Interestingly, while 'Little Talks' was originally a US hipster pick in late 2011 and then a global hit in 2012—between ad breaks as well as during them—it … Continue reading Of Monsters and Men – ‘Little Talks’
Cliff Richard – ‘Congratulations’
27 April 1968 The claim that Eurovision 1968 was rigged by Franco so that Spain as winners would host the following year's event to showcase his country and regime, denying hot favourite Cliff Richard and the UK the win in the process, gets re-aired occasionally without much in the way of hard evidence. Of course, … Continue reading Cliff Richard – ‘Congratulations’
Rita Ora – ‘How We Do (Party)’
9 August 2012 Fans of copyright claims, case law and incongruous swearing will enjoy the details of Oyewole v. Ora, a legal action taken in New York by US poet Abiodun Oyewole against the Notorious B.I.G. and Rita Ora. Oyewole claimed Biggie's track 'Party And Bullshit' as interpolated by Ora's 'How We Do (Party)' infringed … Continue reading Rita Ora – ‘How We Do (Party)’
Calvin Harris ft. Example – ‘We’ll Be Coming Back’
2 August 2012 Today's who's-related Irish Number Ones factoid: British singer Example, a chart-topper in Ireland with 'We'll Be Coming Back', is a nephew of '80s Irish footballer Tony Grealish. I'm not aware of Calvin Harris being related to any famous Irish person, but let that pass. 'We'll Be Coming Back' is the fourth of … Continue reading Calvin Harris ft. Example – ‘We’ll Be Coming Back’
Pat McGeegan – ‘Chance Of A Lifetime’
20 April 1968 Representing Ireland at Eurovision 1968—the first to be televised in colour—and finishing a creditable fourth is not the most celebrated live performance by Pat McGeegan. His real name was Pat McGuigan, he was the father of '80s world champion boxer Barry, and in lieu of a national anthem he famously sang 'Danny … Continue reading Pat McGeegan – ‘Chance Of A Lifetime’
Florence & The Machine – ‘Spectrum (Say My Name)’
19 July 2012 As a lifelong pop fan I normally look for fast-acting bangers rather than slow-burning growers, so it's rare that a tune or album I previously didn't get into suddenly clicks for me at a later date. However, that's what happened for me with the first Florence & The Machine album, Lungs. I … Continue reading Florence & The Machine – ‘Spectrum (Say My Name)’
Tom Jones – ‘Delilah’
31 March 1968 Content warning: violence, misogyny. She was my woman. As she deceived me I watched and went out of my mind. I could see that girl was no good for me. When that man drove away I was waiting. She stood there laughing. I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed … Continue reading Tom Jones – ‘Delilah’
Will.i.am ft. Eva Simons – ‘This Is Love’
12 July 2012 Flo Rida followed at number one by Will.i.am: no doubt my enthusiasm is leaping off the screen at you. A couple of months earlier, our chart-topper was the glorious 'Call Me Maybe'. Now, this. 'This Is Love' gives the people of 2012 what they want: insipid R&B-pop piano-plinking verses; the whoop-holler hip … Continue reading Will.i.am ft. Eva Simons – ‘This Is Love’
