13 May 2000 As I write this, today's schedule on the Discovery Channel consists mostly of Wheeler Dealers, Alaskan Bush People, and UFO Witness. But hey, whatever turns you on! The funky, radio-friendly goofiness of its zero-entendre chorus is what ensured global one-hit wonder status for 'The Bad Touch'. Its verses are just tiring, laboured, … Continue reading Bloodhound Gang – ‘The Bad Touch’
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Mark McCabe – ‘Maniac 2000’
4 March 2000 Dare I suggest that, since it was recorded in Clontarf Cricket Club, 'Maniac 2000' is a West Brit? Best not. To be fair, cricket in Ireland is played and watched by plenty of solid Irish citizens. Also, 'Maniac 2000' had barely topped our charts before Ireland elevated it to the pantheon of … Continue reading Mark McCabe – ‘Maniac 2000’
All Saints – ‘Pure Shores’
26 February 2000 Our previous number one, Gabrielle's 'Rise', featured the sort of inspirational content now more associated with social media. We've seen a similar shift to Instagram with this number one's theme of literal travel as metaphorical journey of "authentic" spiritual self-realisation. Alex Garland's The Beach, visualised by Danny Boyle's film adaptation, was a … Continue reading All Saints – ‘Pure Shores’
Gabrielle – ‘Rise’
19 February 2000 If Bob Dylan's fans called him "Judas" for playing an electric guitar, what must they think of him for approving samples and interpolations of him in chart pop songs? I've never been a Dylan fan, I don't like the dirge of 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' in any version, and I've never been … Continue reading Gabrielle – ‘Rise’
Oasis – ‘Go Let It Out’
12 February 2000 I never had Noel Gallagher down as a fellow student and fan of 19th century American poetry. Here's the first verse of 'A Bag Of Tools' by Robert Lee Sharpe: Isn't it strange That princes and kings, And clowns that caper In sawdust rings, And common people Like you and me Are … Continue reading Oasis – ‘Go Let It Out’
Delerium – ‘Silence’
5 February 2000 Delerium are two Canadian guys, but the lead vocal on 'Silence' is a woman's voice. Since there's no 'ft' or other billing on the single cover (above) apart from the B-side remixers Fade, who happen to be two American guys, I wonder who the actual singer on the main event is. Turns … Continue reading Delerium – ‘Silence’
Britney Spears – ‘Born To Make You Happy’
22 January 2000 Our first new number one of the 2000s has a title more fitting to the 1950s. And still to come from Britney: 'I'm A Slave 4 U'; 'Overprotected'; 'I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman'; 'Toxic'. Scant retort comes from 'Stronger', with its clunky callback to the fatal loneliness of '...Baby … Continue reading Britney Spears – ‘Born To Make You Happy’
Westlife – ‘I Have a Dream’ / ‘Seasons In The Sun’
19 December 1999 How should we approach the landmark of the final Irish number one of the millennium? The same way we approached it at the time: ignore any symbolism and just put a Westlife single there. Not just any Westlife single, though - a double-A-side of covers of two remarkably dreadful songs. 'I Have … Continue reading Westlife – ‘I Have a Dream’ / ‘Seasons In The Sun’
Macy Gray – ‘I Try’
12 December 1999 Macy Gray made a surprise return to the news on our side of the Atlantic in July 2022 when she appeared on a British controversialist's news opinion show and gave her views on trans women and their participation in sport. Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) are a support and advocacy group for … Continue reading Macy Gray – ‘I Try’
Boyzone – ‘Every Day I Love You’
5 December 1999 Boyzone? Still? Really? Dinosaur-meets-asteroid is too vigorous an analogy, but the advent of Westlife, a prettier and squeakier-clean Boyzone but with at least two actual singers, surely made Ronan and company redundant in a swoop. This micro-drama is set within the niche confines of the Irish boyband underground. The rest of us … Continue reading Boyzone – ‘Every Day I Love You’
