Focus Group VII Nominations (Glutton for Punishment thread)

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I know that the 6th focus group has only just gone up but here is where you suggest tracks for inclusion in November's, which will go up on time this time honest.

Criteria:

- single release/release to radio in US or UK between May 1 2002 and November 1 2002.
- commercial or critical hit, or culturally 'important'/'novel' etc.
- likely to inspire interesting comments.

I think having less songs worked well - so we're looking again for about 30 tracks, thanks.

Obvious inclusions to get the ball rolling: "Work It", "Die Another Day", "Hot In Herre", "Grindin", something by Eminem, "Round Round"

― Tom (Groke), Friday, 11 October 2002 11:31 (twenty-three years ago)

One Shot for the Eminem pick!

― Nicole (Nicole), Friday, 11 October 2002 11:33 (twenty-three years ago)

[insert my suggestion here]

― Graham (graham), Friday, 11 October 2002 11:35 (twenty-three years ago)

Shakedown-"At Night"

Tim Deluxe-"It Just Won't Do"

Felix Da Housecat-"Silver Screen Shower Scene" (Les Rhythmes Digitales Thin White Duke Remix"

LCD Soundsystem-"Losing My Edge"

Holly Valance-"Down Boy"

Daniel Beddingfield-"James Dean"

Justin Timberlake-"Like I Love You"

Cosmos-"Take Me With You" (anyone heard this yet, it's been on the radio here a small bit)

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 11 October 2002 11:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Can we have Beat Connection instead of Losing My Edge (largely cos my opinion of Losing My Edge keeps oscillating wildly and I am therefore rather likely to be embarassed about whatever I put on my ballot by the time FGVII is published)?

Other suggestions:

Tok-Tok Vs Soffy O - Missy Queen's Gonna Die

Truth Hurts - Addictive

MC Pitman - Witness The Pitness

― RickyT (RickyT), Friday, 11 October 2002 11:41 (twenty-three years ago)

Sorry, the real title of the eminem track is Lose Yourself.

― Nicole (Nicole), Friday, 11 October 2002 11:43 (twenty-three years ago)

Another vote for Down Boy as well.

― RickyT (RickyT), Friday, 11 October 2002 11:43 (twenty-three years ago)

Everyone should just listen to Like I Love You 30 times.

― Nicole (Nicole), Friday, 11 October 2002 11:46 (twenty-three years ago)

goldenboy "rippin kittin"
xtina & redman "dirrty"
liberty x "just a little"
...aaahh, fuck it. that'll do, i don't feel inspired at the moment.

― michael wells (michael w.), Friday, 11 October 2002 11:47 (twenty-three years ago)

Christina Milian - when you look at me
Milky - just the way you are
Vanessa Carlton - (can't remember the title!)
Avril - complicated
Bowling for Soup - girl all the bad guys want
Nick Carter - (can't remember what it's called)
Gareth Gates - Anyone of us

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:01 (twenty-three years ago)

The bloody Ketchup Song!

― Jody Beth Rosen, Friday, 11 October 2002 12:05 (twenty-three years ago)

Ludacris - Saturday (oh)
Space Cowboy - I would die 4 u
Blazin Squad - Crossroad
S Club Juniors -

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:06 (twenty-three years ago)

When did Cam'ron's "Oh Boy" come out?

― Tom (Groke), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:08 (twenty-three years ago)

Also, who are "die another day", "work it" and "grindin'" by?

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:09 (twenty-three years ago)

Darius -- 'Colourblind' has got to be in!!!

― alext (alext), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:11 (twenty-three years ago)

Ja Rule feat Ashanti -- can't remember the name.
Miss Dynamite -- Dy Na Mitee

― alext (alext), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:11 (twenty-three years ago)

That's what I go to School For.

Appleton

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Tim McGraw - Red Rag-Top

Shakira - Objection (Tango)

Pink - Don't Let Me Get Me

No Doubt - Underneath It All

No Doubt - Hella Good

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:32 (twenty-three years ago)

ditto on Tom & Ronan's suggestions (esp. the LRD mix of "SSSS")
not too sure when these were released for you northern types, but :

Telepopmusik - Breathe
Xzibit - Multiply
Linkin Park - Points Of Authority
Roots Manuva - (haha, I get the sinking feeling "Witness (1 Hope)" & "Dreamy Days" were released five years ago or whatever in the UK)
Vitalic -

― Ess Kay (esskay), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah we have to have something by the new Pink. It strikes me there are a lot of candidates this time.

― Tom (Groke), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:34 (twenty-three years ago)

Vitalic must be in. Underworld-Two Months Off? Or is that like when I suggested the Pet Shop Boys the last time around ; ) Also Emerge by Fischerspooner

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:35 (twenty-three years ago)

Vitalic must be in. Underworld-Two Months Off? Or is that like when I suggested the Pet Shop Boys the last time around ; )

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:37 (twenty-three years ago)

no, it's like when you suggested underworld the first time. :)

― michael wells (michael w.), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:40 (twenty-three years ago)

Weird, the second one was meant to be first.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:41 (twenty-three years ago)

Vitalic: yes, but wasn't it released before May 1st? Emerge should definitely be in there. PSBs also, but only because it's so bloody awful.

― RickyT (RickyT), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:42 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah actually Vitalic was last year, shite. Cosmos must be in there, if I only try hard for one house tune that will be it.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:44 (twenty-three years ago)

"Die Another Day" - Madonna
"Work It" - Missy Elliott
"Grindin'" - The Clipse

We also need to include "Dirrty" (Xtina), "Nothin'" (N.O.R.E), "All You Wanted" (Michelle Branch), "Complicated" (Avril Levigne), "Dilemma (Nelly & Kelly), "A Moment Like This" (Kelly Clarkson), "Move Bitch" (Ludacris), "Floetic" (Floetry), "Two Monthsa Off" (Underworld) and "A Thousand Miles" (Vanessa Carleton)

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:47 (twenty-three years ago)

When did Layo & Bushwacka's "Love Story" come out? Also - Scooter?

― Ess Kay (esskay), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:49 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't want to see Love Story torn apart by the ILX hounds! It'd have to be the Tim Deluxe remix which is brilliant.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:51 (twenty-three years ago)

ugh why "Move Bitch"? but Dan's right we HAVE to have "Nothing" by N.O.R.E.

if it's a choice btw "Don't Let Me Get Me" and whatever the recent one is that I've blocked out of my head PLEASE let it be the former

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Also can we only have one of the Avril/Michelle/Vanessa axis of tweevil.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:53 (twenty-three years ago)

haha what about "in my place" you popists! something has to come in last, after all.

also: "like i love you," "dy na mitee", "dirrty", "lose yourself", "dilemma" and "the ketchup song" need to be there.

― mark p (Mark P), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:57 (twenty-three years ago)

Heh yes Coldplay is always good for a larf and also because when people get drunk they like it.

― Tom (Groke), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:59 (twenty-three years ago)

People = Tom

― Nicole (Nicole), Friday, 11 October 2002 12:59 (twenty-three years ago)

Nelly's "Hot In Herre"
Shakedown's "At Night"
Kylie's "Love At First Sight"
Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles"
Clipse's "Grindin"
Noreaga's "Nothin"
Madonna's "Die Another Day"
Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You"
Holly Valance's "Down Boy"
Amerie's "Why Don't We Fall In Love"
Daniel Bedingfield's "James Dean"
Avril Lavigne's "Complicated"
Truth Hurts' "Addictive"
Res's "Golden Boys"
Ms. Dynamite's "Dy-Na-Mi-Te"
Erick Sermon's "React"
Sticky's "More Weed" or "Dollar Sign" or "Tales From The Hood"

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Also No Doubt's "Underneath It All" and Shakira's "Objection (Tango)".

(crazy dream): Michael Mayer's "Love Is Stronger Than Pride".

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:03 (twenty-three years ago)

And Missy's "Work It" obv.

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Fischerspooner - Emerge
Flaming Lips - Do you realise?
Dolly Parton - Stairway to heaven
Mint Royale - Sexiest man in Jamaica
John Otway - Bunsen burner
Sugababes - round Round
Miss Dynamite - Miss dy-na-mi-tee
Scooter - logical song

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:07 (twenty-three years ago)

DOLLAR SIGN! DOLLAR SIGN! DOLLAR SIGN!

I think we should include every Michelle Branch/Avril Levigne/Vanessa Carleton single released within the time frame, just to annoy Ronan.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:08 (twenty-three years ago)

SCOOTER!

― Tom (Groke), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:09 (twenty-three years ago)

I should be really annoyed by Scooter but I'm not, I just feel pity.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:11 (twenty-three years ago)

Christina Aguilera (sp?)

(and thanks Dan, for letting me know what those songs were! Not heard any of them!)

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:13 (twenty-three years ago)

a question: should the songs have made the top 40 to be included?

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:15 (twenty-three years ago)

"Take The Long Road And Walk It" - The Music (both commercial and critical, but not sure how hot on ILM - and as backmarkers go, this might be a bit of a dark horse...)

The one I reaaaaaaaaally wanna pull for is Hate Is All You Need by The Delgados, which SHOULD have been the single off of Hate but wasn't for some reason (they'll probably end up choosing All Rise as the second one as well. *shudder*). The album will be out by the 1st of November anyway... please?

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:16 (twenty-three years ago)

Another vote for Truth Hurts. (Hey, does anyone know the original song that came from?)

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh, oh, oh - new backmarker -

Positivity by Suede.

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:23 (twenty-three years ago)

"My suggestion" = The Kitten, obviously. THEY WILL NOT BE LEFT OUT.

― Graham (graham), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:25 (twenty-three years ago)

"Just Like A Pill" by P!nk=Punk

― Graham (graham), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:26 (twenty-three years ago)

Another vote for Truth Hurts. (Hey, does anyone know the original song that came from?)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

― michael wells (michael w.), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:26 (twenty-three years ago)

Graham you hate the Focus Group anyway and you will hate it EVEN MORE when people are mean to the Kitten!

― Tom (Groke), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:27 (twenty-three years ago)

I'd give atomic kitten a 7 for the tide is high.

― jel -- (jel), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:28 (twenty-three years ago)

strokes - hard to explain or someday
new found glory - my friends over you
pastor troy - are we cuttin

what about that alcazar song. how old is that

and nore's nothin seems unnecessary with so many other neptunes songs likely to make the list and rank highly, its really a cut below.

there's a new jayz song out (bonnie and clyde w/ beyonce) but i don't know if its been officially released

grindin should win this one

― boxcubed (boxcubed), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:32 (twenty-three years ago)

YESYESYES Include the Alcazar song!!!!!! (Even though it came out in August 2001.)

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:33 (twenty-three years ago)

Will and Gareth - Long aand Winding Road
Sarah Whatmore - When I lost You

― Graham (graham), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:38 (twenty-three years ago)

My sister says the Will and Gareth song is the most hilarious thing ever, so yes please include it.

― Nicole (Nicole), Friday, 11 October 2002 13:39 (twenty-three years ago)

sk8rboy b4 complicated...

I want to see where Drrrty ends up...

― JM, Friday, 11 October 2002 14:36 (twenty-three years ago)

...and Oh!

― JM, Friday, 11 October 2002 14:54 (twenty-three years ago)

BUSTED!!!!

― Pete (Pete), Friday, 11 October 2002 15:17 (twenty-three years ago)

THE FUCKING KETCHUP SONG

― vic (vicc13), Friday, 11 October 2002 15:23 (twenty-three years ago)

(ha ha I actually have a long list already prepared just waiting for this thread, but it's at home and it's friday, and by monday it'll be too late probably)

HOWEVAH!

Absolute MUST includes:

Eminem - "Without Me" (Tom is on a promise to include this IIRC as it just missed the cut-off date last time. I can't think of a 'bigger' single, in any sense of the word, in last 6 months either)
AND
Las Ketchup - "Aserejé (The Ketchup Song)"
Nelly - "Hot in Herre"
Shakira - "Underneath Your Clothes"
Sugababes - "Round Round"
Fischerspooner - "Emerge"

Would be disappointed if not included:

"Complicated"
"Love At First Sight"/"Can't Get Blue Monday Out Of My Head"
"James Dean"
"Addictive"
"The Tide Is High (Get The Feeling)"
The Streets - "Weak Become Heroes"
a Miss Dynamite song (but I think the first single, not "Dy-na-mi-tee", as the former is more well-known outside UK, I think)

Much as I love Pink, I'm not convinced that either of the last two singles are 'significant' enough records to include. They did their job, i.e. drew attention to a fantastic LP, no more. But if there has to be one, then "Don't Let Me Get Me" is the one to go for.

Vitalic's "La Rock 01" really took off in last six months, so I would include it

In my dreams: "Perdono" by Tiziano Ferro. (Totally unknown in UK, I think, but a huge hit in Europe)

More suggestions to follow on Monday (if necessary).

― Jeff W, Friday, 11 October 2002 15:37 (twenty-three years ago)

Tracy Byrd: Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo
Keith Urban: Somebody Like You
Kelly Clarkson: A Moment Like This
Eve w/ Alicia Keys: Gangsta Lovin'
Santana w/ Michelle Branch: Game of Love
Mario: Just a Friend
TLC: Girl Talk
Nirvana: You Know You're Right
Puddle of Mudd: She Hates Me
Audioslave: Cochise
OK GO: Get Over It
Queens of the Stone Age: No One Knows

― Yancey (ystrickler), Friday, 11 October 2002 15:40 (twenty-three years ago)

Jurassic 5, "What's Golden"
RJD2, "Good Times Roll pt. 2"
Amon Tobin, "Verbal"
The Vines, "Get Free"
Supergrass, "Grace"
DJ Shadow, "Six Days"

― Nate Patrin, Friday, 11 October 2002 16:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I vote for:

Nelly - Hot in Herre
Truth Hurts - Addictive
Pink - Family Portrait
No Doubt - Underneath It All
Madonna - Die Another Day
Justin Timberlake - Like I Love You
Eminem - Without Me
Missy Elliott - Work It

― dleone (dleone), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:02 (twenty-three years ago)

Nate misses the point a little bit I think. Focus Group clearly a play on the (late?) great Radio On, and so limited to / focused on Top 40, radio played songs (which might include the Vines, but very sadly doesn't include RJD2 or DJ Shadow, although that one's debatable since Mtv played the video alot). Songs radio plays the hell out of, such as....

Scarface - "On My Block"

Dixie Chicks - "Landslide"

Angie Martinez - "If I Could Go!"

Nappy Roots - "Awnaw" (old as hell admittedly, but so are alot of the above suggestions, and this still gets played on the radio)

Nirvana - "You Know You're Right" (maybe not though, as the posturing could get out of hand. still, the token rock track)

Eve w/ Alica Keys - "Gangsta Lovin'"

Tim McGraw - "Red Rag Top" (Radio's playing the hell out of this where I live, but supposedly it is encountering static elsewhere)

Da Real One - "U Like Pina Coladas" (10+)

― James Blount (James Blount), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Would Moby's "We Are All Made Of Stars" or DJ Shadow's "You Can't Go Home Again" qualify? (alert update for James - the "YCGHA" video gots lots & lots of airplay over here)

― Ess Kay (esskay), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:09 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh, in case Tom's tabulating nominations, "Die Another Day", "It's Hot In Herre", "Work It", "Grindin" (which might win), and "Like I Love You" (which will win, and it peaked at #11 - what the?!!!) seemed like no brainers. There's your top five (reverse the order) right there, with "Red Rag Top" as the dark horse.

― James Blount (James Blount), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:15 (twenty-three years ago)

Yes, but in which alternate universe did 'The Rubettes' by The Auteurs go top 40?

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:15 (twenty-three years ago)

dilemma; gangsta lovin'; complicated; that blazin squad song maybe?
definitely round round and tide is high; 'without me' if it's not too old; um, a thousand miles;

― dave k, Friday, 11 October 2002 16:19 (twenty-three years ago)

Whoops. Well, I was going in some cases on video play and I hazarded a guess that maybe that Supergrass single was charting in Britain or something. Erm. Anyhow, yeah.

― Nate Patrin, Friday, 11 October 2002 16:32 (twenty-three years ago)

In a better world, Nate, in a better world! (I was a little surprised/disappointed "Six Days" didn't get alt-rock radio play. In 1997 that thing could've blown up).

― James Blount (James Blount), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:42 (twenty-three years ago)

1)Blazin Squad
2)Sugababes
3)Fischerspooner
4)Eminem (Without Me, cos Cleanin' Out is jizz)
5)Truth Hurts
6)Pitman (Pitman is everywhere, fools)
7)Avril Lavigne
8)Pink (the one before the current one, cos that seemed to have more of an impact despite not hitting number one)
9)Vanessa Carlton
10)Doves (There Goes The Fear has started a trend for same-day deletion)
11)Oasis (prob Stop Crying Your Heart Out, I've heard that far too much on the radio)
12)The Music (of The NME's New Wave Of Trendiness bands, I think they've been the most commercially successful - #14 or thereabouts in the singles)
13)Miss Dynamite
14)Scooter
15)Missy Elliott
16)The Vines (would personally prefer The Datsuns, but The Vines have been around longer)
17)Suede (due to much-vaunted comeback getting universally derided)
18)Justin Timberlake
19)Nelly on 'is tod
20)Nelly with her out of Destiny's Child
21)Beyonce
22)Atomic Kitten
23)Will Smith (from what I can figure out, this was the most successful film tie-in song of recent times - then again, there's Madonna's one, buuuut I ain't heard that yet)
24)Mint Royale
25)Tim Deluxe
26)Underworld
27)The Delgados (cos I frickin' well say so)
28)Christina Aguilera
29)Streets

Are there meant to be 29? (that wasn't in any order, just I'm crap at counting) And if so, when did Hate To Say I Told You Soooooooooooooo come out?

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:44 (twenty-three years ago)

Was that Will Smith song a hit in Europe? (I heard it maybe once, if that, on the radio over here)

― James Blount (James Blount), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:48 (twenty-three years ago)

#2 in the UK.

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:51 (twenty-three years ago)

That said, it wasn't anywhere near as big as the original's theme. I doubt it will be advertising bin bags on Phoenix Nights, in any case...

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:53 (twenty-three years ago)

just saying "n.o.r.e - nothin" again to make sure it makes it..

― mitch lastnamewithheld (mitchlnw), Friday, 11 October 2002 16:56 (twenty-three years ago)

Actually, In My Place does have to be in there, I suppose... not sure what in place of, but it was all over Radio 1 and such for a disturbingly long bit of the summer, plus it seems to keep getting used in adverts, and most of the critics adore the album. Annoyingly, a shoo-in...

Even (especially) if it gets roasted.

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 11 October 2002 17:01 (twenty-three years ago)

Not yet nominated: My Neck My Back by Khia and Ching Ching by Miss Jade.

― scott pl. (scott pl.), Friday, 11 October 2002 17:33 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh Jesus - Khia HAS to make it.

― James Blount (James Blount), Friday, 11 October 2002 17:41 (twenty-three years ago)

The Music? who the fuck are those?

― vic (vicc13), Friday, 11 October 2002 21:37 (twenty-three years ago)

vic, you jammy bast.

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 11 October 2002 21:39 (twenty-three years ago)

what? jammy bast? the more i think about it more confused i get

― vic (vicc13), Friday, 11 October 2002 21:48 (twenty-three years ago)

DJ Martian to thread!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 11 October 2002 22:08 (twenty-three years ago)

Victor, your lack of knowledge of English guitar-pedal junkies The Music makes you a very fortunate man indeed, my dear chap.

(Excuse any sarcasm. It's been a rough night.)

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Friday, 11 October 2002 22:36 (twenty-three years ago)

I really want Khia to be in there because I love it.

I always like it when people predict what will win.

I'm currently working out a method whereby there'll be a broad no. of songs without overburdening people.

― Tom (Groke), Friday, 11 October 2002 23:28 (twenty-three years ago)

i predict khia will win

― boxcubed (boxcubed), Saturday, 12 October 2002 01:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Pretty please "Sk8er Boi" before "Complicated". Other random thoughts, mostly just stuff I've heard or seen a lot or that seemed important:

N.E.R.D. - "Lapdance"?

Nelly w/ Kelly Rowland - "Dilemma"

Boxcar Racer - "I Feel So"

Rush - "Vapor Trail"

Interpol - "PDA"

― sundar subramanian, Saturday, 12 October 2002 03:11 (twenty-three years ago)

How do I participate in the Focus Group once the songs are chosen?

I nominate:
Cam'ron "Hey Ma"
Missy "Work It"
JT "Like I Love You"

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Saturday, 12 October 2002 04:07 (twenty-three years ago)

Ashanti "Happy"
DJ Sammy "Heaven"
Ja Rule "Down Ass Chick"
A bunch of B2K songs

― Vinnie (vprabhu), Saturday, 12 October 2002 04:22 (twenty-three years ago)

AwNaw had the misfortune of falling early after the last deadline I think, but it deserves to be on. Not mentioned yet but inescapable, at least on NYC radio, "Give Me the Light" by Sean Paul.

― bnw (bnw), Saturday, 12 October 2002 04:35 (twenty-three years ago)

of those mentioned (that I've heard), I'll second these as choices (not to say I nec. like any/all of them):

Missy Elliott: "Work It"
Nelly: "Hot In Herre"
Clipse: "Grindin" (even if "Young Boy" is the best thing on the album)
Eminem: "Without Me"
Shakedown: "At Night"
Felix Da Housecat-"Silver Screen Shower Scene" (Les Rhythmes Digitales Thin White Duke Remix)"
Daniel Beddingfield-"James Dean"
LCD Soundsystem: "Beat Connection"
Truth Hurts: "Addictive"
Avril Lavigne: "Complicated"
Cam'ron: "Oh Boy"
Pink: "Don't Let Me Get Me"
No Doubt: "Hella Good"
Pet Shop Boys: "The Night I Fell in Love"
Fischerspooner: "Emerge"
Kelly Clarkson: "A Moment Like This"
Kylie Minogue: "Love At First Sight"
Res: "Golden Boys"
Sleater-Kinney: "Oh!"
The Streets: "Weak Become Heroes"
Eve w/ Alicia Keys: "Gangsta Lovin'"
Nirvana: "You Know You're Right"
Queens of the Stone Age: "No One Knows"
The Vines: "Get Free"
Scarface: "On My Block"
Nappy Roots: "Awnaw"
Moby: "We Are All Made Of Stars"
DJ Shadow: "You Can't Go Home Again"
Khia: "My Neck, My Back"
Hives: "Hate to Say I Told You So"

of those not mentioned:

That Toby Keith song about blasting them furriners to the stone age
Lo Fidelity Allstars: "Feel What I Feel" (a single in Sept!)
Freelance Hairdresser: "Marshall's Been Snookered" (we need at least one--maybe two or three--bootlegs here)
Closer Musik: "Maria"
Elvis Costello: "Tear Off Your Own Head (It's a Doll Revolution)"

― M Matos (M Matos), Saturday, 12 October 2002 06:48 (twenty-three years ago)

I second "You Can't Go Home Again" and "Beat Connection".

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Saturday, 12 October 2002 07:16 (twenty-three years ago)

How to take part in the focus group:

1) Come to the 'live' group. We have ambitious plans for this this timethough we're working out the logistics.

2) Submit a ballot via email and hope I dont fuck up and miss it (sorry AGAIN Sean and Anthony!)

― Tom (Groke), Saturday, 12 October 2002 08:09 (twenty-three years ago)

James what do you mean by "posturing" re. You Know Youre Right? ;)

― Tom (Groke), Saturday, 12 October 2002 09:37 (twenty-three years ago)

OK my preliminary list has forty-five (!!) tracks on so some pruning is inevitable.

Current "Dilemmas":

Nelly - Hot in Herre or Dilemma?
Pink - Don't Let Me Get Me or Just Like A Pill?
Miss Dynamite - It Takes More or Dy-na-mi-tee?
Avril - Complicated or Sk8er Boi?

How Big A Hit Were/Are...

Shakedown? Golden Boy? Shakira's "Objection (Tango)"? Amerie? Nappy Roots? Kelly Clarkson? Khia?

Can anyone suggest a nu-metal track that should go in there?

― Tom (Groke), Saturday, 12 October 2002 10:48 (twenty-three years ago)

''How to take part in the focus group:
1) Come to the 'live' group. We have ambitious plans for this this timethough we're working out the logistics.

2) Submit a ballot via email and hope I dont fuck up and miss it (sorry AGAIN Sean and Anthony!)''

we must talk abt this tom ont he FAP since i'd like to take part.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 12 October 2002 10:53 (twenty-three years ago)

I think Shakedown was top 20, it was a massive massive hit in clubs, one of the biggest.

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 12 October 2002 11:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Ah right Kelly Clarkson is the American Idol woman. Well if you lot had to rate Will Young I don't see why we should be spared.

― Tom (Groke), Saturday, 12 October 2002 11:03 (twenty-three years ago)

Actually Shakedown was number 6 I think! What do you think by the way?

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 12 October 2002 11:08 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh I like it, it's catchy! I was just checking if was an actual hit or not.

I like most of the stuff I've downloaded, I'm easily pleased.

Next question - what has been the biggest Vines song so far?

Poor old Outkast btw - "Land Of A Million Drums" clearly a track too far for the focus group :) (And no Rapture nominations either!)

― Tom (Groke), Saturday, 12 October 2002 11:11 (twenty-three years ago)

No Rapture nominations cos House of Jealous Lovers has been out for ages and Olio is a load of poo

― RickyT (RickyT), Saturday, 12 October 2002 11:17 (twenty-three years ago)

Next (and quite urgent) qn - UK people who want to do a live group thing - when in November can you make it. A Saturday or Sunday but probably a Saturday since these things tend to get quite drunken.

― Tom (Groke), Saturday, 12 October 2002 11:27 (twenty-three years ago)

I'd be interested, Tom, in the live one. I barely have plans for next week, let alone November, at this time.

I look forward to Julio's contributions! Do we have a lot of free jazz hit singles to consider in the next batch? Did Derek Bailey hit #1 one week when I was looking the other way?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 12 October 2002 12:28 (twenty-three years ago)

Biggest Vines song thus far liable to become Outtathaway, seeing as how it's now Radio 1 playlisted. But that said, there could well be a case for subbing it with The Coral's Dreaming Of You. Think that's set to chart higher this week, or something.

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 12 October 2002 12:57 (twenty-three years ago)

Can I come to a live focus group to hear the songs but still submit my comments via email? Believe it or not I like to work on my comments and scores.

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 12 October 2002 14:55 (twenty-three years ago)

I'd be up for live focus groupage. So long as you give us notice. Anytime in November ought to do so long as it don't clash with The Delgados (featuring support from Doves, who, in an innovative step, will be playing last) playing Brum on... will check when.

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Tom, it absolutely has to be "Herre". And as Ronan sez, Shakedown was big enough to make it. Out of Shakira's "Objection" (Tango), Amerie, Nappy Roots, Kelly Clarkson and Khia, I've heard the Nappy Roots song once and downloaded an Ameria track from gabba.net. (Then again I'm not in any cultural hotspot over here, so what I have and haven't heard is in no way a definitive basis for the formation of a list of recent Significant Pop.) Oh, and I'm happy that "Land of a Million Drums" misses the deadline, it's one of the few lousy Outkast songs.

― Mitch Lastnamewithheld (mitchlnw), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:12 (twenty-three years ago)

Mitch is right, it simply has to be "Hot In Herre" - you can't allow us not to talk about the year's best song. And if "At Night" isn't on there I will cry.

Of the remaining doubtful's I'd rank them in the following order of interesting-to-talk-about-ness:

1. Shakira
2. Khia
3. Res
4. Amerie
5. Nappy Roots
6. Kelly Clarkson

"No Rapture nominations cos House of Jealous Lovers has been out for ages and Olio is a load of poo"

Tim in disagreement with Ricky T SHOCKAH!!!!

I nominate "Olio" ;-)

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:18 (twenty-three years ago)

If Christina Milian isn't on, I'll shrug my shoulders and say "hey Christina Milian should've been on".

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:21 (twenty-three years ago)

you talk big, jel, but can you back it up?

― Mitch Lastnamewithheld (mitchlnw), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:24 (twenty-three years ago)

25th November. Any day other than that will be just fine, thank you.

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:26 (twenty-three years ago)

just bring it mitch!

(though, I've got a bit of a cold so can we reschedule?)

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:27 (twenty-three years ago)

yeah alright. how's wednesday, 4:30pm, for you?

― Mitch Lastnamewithheld (mitchlnw), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:29 (twenty-three years ago)

Cosmos-Take Me With You, PLEEEEEEEEEAAASE, I remember Tom Middleton (the guy who made it) doing some interview and calling it a "love record", I didn't really know what he meant but then I bought it. It gets better and better and better with each listen, it IS easily in the top 5 best house records of the year, it's a massive evolution for the French House sound, it's what Cassius should have done, it's what everyone should be doing! Instrumental version, vocal version, pick whichever but Cosmos MUST MUST MUST be in the Focus Group. It is a love record, it's just the most hopeful yet down to earth LIFE AFFIRMING record of the year I can't do it justice in writing but BELIEVE!

It'd be just below lazy in my top 5 which probably looks like this

1. Lazy
2. Cosmos-Take Me With You
3. Felix Da Housecat-SSSS LRD Thin White Duke Remix
4. Josh One-Contemplation
5. Underworld-Two Months Off.

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:30 (twenty-three years ago)

Plus my mate says to say it sounds a bit like Van Gelis, but to hell with that madness.

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Now I have used "life affirming" I expect NME to be on the phone.

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:38 (twenty-three years ago)

Complicated over Sk8tr Boi, I'd think -- it was a massive hit, for one. And how could Khia miss out?!

That Kelly Clarkson song is most important for commercial reasons -- it got Americans to actually buy a single! Other than that, Tim's list above is probably pretty dead-on. The Nappy Roots second single, "po folks" isn't as good as awnaw but seems as if it was the bigger hit here, and it more directly deals with the "new south" with class not race as the common element (and hip-hop as a unifier). (i.e. bubba sparxxx) so I guess I'd belatedly nominate that if (the much-better) Awnaw misses the cut.

In the U.S., the Get Free song was a much bigger Vines track -- granted the other one is brand new.

Nu-metal? Was there a Disturbed single? The album went to No. 1. Does that Puddle of Mudd song count?

Has that terrible "A Little Less Conversation" been nominated?

― scott pl. (scott pl.), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:49 (twenty-three years ago)

or: nu-metal = she loves me not by papa roach?

― scott pl. (scott pl.), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:57 (twenty-three years ago)

''Do we have a lot of free jazz hit singles to consider in the next batch? Did Derek Bailey hit #1 one week when I was looking the other way?''

yes you have becuz cecil taylor unit had a no 1 with live in Bologna. a 70 minute performance so it didn't quite fit on TOTP (though they put out the 'highlights' in a nicely packaged 3 minutes).

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 12 October 2002 15:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Kelly Osbourne - Papa Don't Preach ?????

― Graham (graham), Saturday, 12 October 2002 16:07 (twenty-three years ago)

"Objection (Tango)" was a pretty big hit stateside, and should be the Shakira track if there's going to be one for the simple reason that it's the one Shakira songs I've heard I've liked (it's got the B-52's breakdown). "Po Folks" should probably be the Nappy Roots track, not as good as "Awnaw" but it's fresher and I like songs named after restaurants. "Hot In Herre" has to be the Nelly, simply because it's the one of the clear single of the year candidates, although "Delimma" could be on there also, it's not like radio restricted itself to just one. Throw "Marshall's Been Snookered" in and you get the Eminem fix and the bootleg fix with one shot (we also get to avoid any of the dreadful followups). "Red Rag Top" and "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" increasingly seem like no-brainers. Matos has been pimping that Lo-Fi Allstars track for nearly a year now, so throw it on so I'll finally download it (right after Cibo Matto's "About a Girl").

Oh, and shocked! and hurt!! that no one has seconded Da Real One's "U Like Pina Coladas"

― James Blount (James Blount), Saturday, 12 October 2002 17:43 (twenty-three years ago)

yeah, "A Little Less Conversation" really ought to be in there. and I'll plump for "House of Jealous Lovers" even if Tom thinks it shouldn't be in there. also, the Khia song was/is a big hit--dunno about charts but I've heard it out a LOT, plus it is simply wonderful and deserves nomination. and will there be any boots this time around, Tom?

― M Matos (M Matos), Saturday, 12 October 2002 17:45 (twenty-three years ago)

Da Real One's "U Like Pina Coladas" is like a bootleg before the fact! (Hella better than that Pat Boone version of "Freak Like Me")

― James Blount (James Blount), Saturday, 12 October 2002 17:49 (twenty-three years ago)

who are khia?

― jel -- (jel), Saturday, 12 October 2002 18:29 (twenty-three years ago)

Yes, A Little Less Conversation is one that I found myself singing to myself on occasion, except every time I found I was singing "A little more conversation, a little less action" which probably tells you all you need to know about me.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 12 October 2002 18:32 (twenty-three years ago)

If Tom wants a nu-metal track, he should include that remix of "Aw Naw" w/ the shitty POD guitar! Has "Hero" (that Nickelback / Saliva song from the Spider-Man soundtrack) been discussed/-missed yet?

"Sk8er Boi" over "Complicated" for me, but this is just a matter of taste (mine, which is clearly impeccible and impeachable).

― David R. (popshots75`), Saturday, 12 October 2002 18:46 (twenty-three years ago)

I think given how well Nickelback and a song called Hero did separately last time, we might guess at how well the combination will do.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 12 October 2002 18:51 (twenty-three years ago)

mcgraw redragtop

― anthony easton (anthony), Saturday, 12 October 2002 19:44 (twenty-three years ago)

"Bunsen Burner" by John Otway has to be in there. Look how he subverts the charts by... ummm... well, he's just subverted the charts, so there.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 12 October 2002 21:20 (twenty-three years ago)

I can't believe nobody calls out for The Bees.

For Nu-Metal I'm curiously attracted to System of a Down ( when angels deserve to die - has to be the worst lyric evah?)

― Simeon (Simeon), Saturday, 12 October 2002 23:04 (twenty-three years ago)

re : thee dilemmas - "Hot In Herre" (HUGE), "Complicated" (see : former, + "Sk8er Boi" hasn't been released here yet (I think)), "Don't Let Me Get Me" (because DISSONANCE between this & "Get The Party Started" is v.v. important).

― Ess Kay (esskay), Saturday, 12 October 2002 23:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Romeo feat. Christina Milian - It's All Gravy!

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 13 October 2002 18:39 (twenty-three years ago)

Im now up to about fifty, christ.

― Tom (Groke), Sunday, 13 October 2002 20:02 (twenty-three years ago)

here are a few singles:

Akufen - My Way
Cabaret Voltaire - Nag Nag Nag [reissue]
Death in Vegas - Hands Around My Throat
DJ Shadow - 6 days
Doves - Pounding
FC Kahuna - Machine Say Yes
Influx Datum - Back for More
Layo & Bushwacka - Love Story
LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge
Misti Blu - A Million Sons
My Computer - All I Ever Wanted Was a Good Time
Octave One - Blackwater
Primal Scream - Miss Lucifier
Primal Scream - Autobahn 66
RJD2 - Let the Good Times Roll (it was a radio hit on Xfm !)
Peaches - Set it off
Peshay - Satisfy my Love
The Rapture - Olio
Superchumbo - Irresistible
Swayzak - I Dance Alone
Swayzak - Make up your Mind
Underworld - Two Months Off

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 13 October 2002 20:48 (twenty-three years ago)

isnt anyone going to nominate Days Go By?

― boxcubed (boxcubed), Sunday, 13 October 2002 21:14 (twenty-three years ago)

Did anyone mention Abs' "What You Got"?

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Sunday, 13 October 2002 22:12 (twenty-three years ago)

Tom - if you're looking for a way to pare the list down, peak chart position is a nice, empirical method. You could also restrict it to singles released in the past four months (which eliminates the a huge chunk of the nominees so far). Let Billboard (or maybe Arbitron, since radio airplay tends to be a more honest indicator of how big a hit a single is than sales, stateside at least) and it's UK equivalent (TOTP?) be your guide.....

and save room for Da Real One's "U Like Pina Coladas"! Our generation's "Hey Jude"!

― James Blount (James Blount), Sunday, 13 October 2002 23:07 (twenty-three years ago)

fer chrissakes you peoples:

ELVIS vs JXL !!!

- only like a number one all over the world. And if this ain't "culturally important" I know not what is.

Hello?

― zebedee, Monday, 14 October 2002 07:33 (twenty-three years ago)

Of course! I knew there was something I'd forgotten.

The other one that was on my list is George Michael's "Shoot The Dog". A talking point, if nothing else.

― Jeff W (Jeff W), Monday, 14 October 2002 07:46 (twenty-three years ago)

As temporary online representative for Starry, I have to demand Empires by Lamya AKA the new black KAte Bush.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Monday, 14 October 2002 08:27 (twenty-three years ago)

"Days Go By" does deserve consideration, as do Kelly Clarkson and Kelly Osbourne.

Olio is a load of poo

FITE. I second the nomination of "Olio".

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:16 (twenty-three years ago)

You only like it cos it sounds like The Cure with a banging acid choon underneath.

― RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:18 (twenty-three years ago)

Um, wait, that makes it sound good!

― RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:19 (twenty-three years ago)

HAHAHA hoist on your own pitard, matey!

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:28 (twenty-three years ago)

Can we include the video for Days Go By but not the song? I love the part where one of the people says "he's trying to dance her back" or something, and the guy looks so into it.

Cosmos must must must be in this, I need some backup here, someone, anyone.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Ronan write-in votes exist for a reason.

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:40 (twenty-three years ago)

I see.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:43 (twenty-three years ago)

(Plus desperate please for inclusion from people who did vote last time get listened to more. Poor old "Lazy"!!)

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:47 (twenty-three years ago)

I thought it did quite well, I was proud!

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:49 (twenty-three years ago)

poor indeed.

― Graham (graham), Monday, 14 October 2002 11:49 (twenty-three years ago)

Erm, could we have a gander at said list, possibly?

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 14 October 2002 12:24 (twenty-three years ago)

No sorry! Part of the fun of the live group is that you dont know exactly whats coming up. We do the live group and then put the ballot up for everyone else to take part in.

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 14 October 2002 12:30 (twenty-three years ago)

re: Lamya - I can't decide if "Empires" is wonderful or morcheeba.

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Monday, 14 October 2002 13:48 (twenty-three years ago)

Ronan - I second Take Me With You, because it by MILES the club tune of the year. BUT it must be the proper instrumental version and not the dismal vocal mix with Roachford, because that doesn't COUNT dagnammit.

Fischerspooner is essential, I feel. I'd also go for The Vines (Get Free?), Coldplay, Ms Dynamite, Weak Become Heroes, Madonna, Doves, Will and Gareth, Underworld, The Kitten, Moby, Eminem (Without Me), Kelly Osbourne, Darius, Libery X, Primals (Miss Lucifer), Scooter, Justin Timberlake and probably several others,

I'm not having ANY truck with people mentioning things like QOTSA, Amon Tobin and Layo&Bushwhacka though. We want UNIT SHIFTERS here.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 14 October 2002 14:23 (twenty-three years ago)

The live version is a GRATE idea though. Could we find a pub that would let us do it?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 14 October 2002 14:24 (twenty-three years ago)

i can imagine that this will be problematic. does any ILXOR own a pub? (heh)

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 14 October 2002 19:25 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't know how well it did in the UK, but Jimmy Eat World's 'The Middle' was completely unavoidable all summer.

Miss Dynamite only has 'It Takes More' out in North America, so that might be a better choice than the, er, other one.

― Meghan Harrison, Tuesday, 15 October 2002 18:51 (twenty-three years ago)

I would have voted for "The Middle" but I thought it was released in the winter.

― sundar subramanian, Tuesday, 15 October 2002 19:30 (twenty-three years ago)

The Middle reached about #27 or so... they were on TOTP. They were shite.

― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 19:43 (twenty-three years ago)

God, at least half of these songs barely register, maybe more. I think I want to hide again. This has been a year of hiding from music...or has it been that I've dosed myself with critical Ritalin to be so wound up I don't want to and can't pay attention? *growls annoyedly to self because of self*

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 19:49 (twenty-three years ago)

That's okay, Ned, because you can walk into a used record store and reel off the etimology of shoegaze side-projects/followup bands like a BEAST.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 19:51 (twenty-three years ago)

Well, true. But IS IT ENOUGH? *rails at heavens and all that*

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 20:01 (twenty-three years ago)

Stop railing at all that! You don't know where it's been.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 20:08 (twenty-three years ago)

Around and about. It's a floozy of a heavens, it is.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 20:15 (twenty-three years ago)

(to the tune of "Rhythm Is A Dancer")

Heaven is a floozy
It's a cracked-out skeezer
Sleeps with almost anyone
Gives it out like candy
Heaven's always randy
Spreads disease to everyone
Oh-oh
It's a slapper
Oh-oh
You can smell it down the street
Oh-oh
It's a slapper
Oh no, oh no, no...

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 20:20 (twenty-three years ago)

And why were you not singing this over the weekend? MAY I ASK?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 20:39 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't think you called heaven a floozy this weekend, at least not while I was in the room.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 20:41 (twenty-three years ago)

I think there was a collective groan against Boston being a dead-to-the-world pack of closed bars before midnight, but I believe that happened on Saturday from the general direction of M. Matos.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 20:49 (twenty-three years ago)

Hah, you should have gone to THE RACK!

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 15 October 2002 21:32 (twenty-three years ago)

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