The 19th P&J Singles Poll!

Then: "Bittersweet Symphony."

Today: "Block Rockin' Beats."

Now that's what I call music.

"Your Woman"

wtf is "Sunny Came Home" doing on there

is the vote for "Brimful of Asha" for the Fatboy Slim remix?

That would be in 98, I think

I was sorely tempted by the Chumbawamba and Missy records but had to go with my then fave "MMMbop." Oh the shame of it...

Now that's what I call music

haha--wait till you see the results from the following 2/3 years worth of singles polls.

Yeah, the votes for "Brimsul" seem to be for the original.

aarggh! *Brimful*

I loved both versions then, but prefer the remix now, fwiw.

this is really fucking easy.
The Notorious B.I.G. (Featuring Puff Daddy and Mase): "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Bad Boy)

although we'll also except votes for 'put your hands where my eyes could see'

every song on this list except for like 5 or 6 of them is really fucking awful.

I can't vote for any of this crap. (I really don't like the mainstream 90s it seems. Critical maisntream 90's, let's say.)

really great year for pop.

Actually, I will vote for "Mo Money Mo Problems." Never really heard that at the time, but I think I like that song.

The Verve: "Bitter Sweet Symphony" (Virgin)
^^^this might be the worst song of the 90s.

Oh wait, I somehow totally missed "How Bizarre." Too late now.

actually wait that i guess there's that smash mouth song.

"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is not so bad, but I have absolutely no inclination to hear it.

songs on this I know I don't like
"Tubthumping" (growing on me, in the sense that I don't wish them terminal illness anymore)
"Sunny Came Home"
"Da Funk" (I may just hate the video cuz I can't even tell what the song is like under it, but then I don't remember it from the times I've spun Homework either)

the rest is ok to awesome!

multiple xp: I guess this list is kind of a rockist's nightmare at that, for the most part.

Also really love "Wannabe" and "How Bizarre." I'm hopeless...

is Savage Garden's "I Want You" a late '96 entry? If not, it deserves to be here.

"wannabe" is the best pure pop song on here, tho beating out sugar ray isn't much of anything.

I wish I could vote against "Brimful of Asha" rather than vote for anything in particular.

wow, I barely like anything off this list. voted "Got Til It's Gone" but probably liked it more at the time, also could've gone for "On And On" or "All About The Benjamins" or "How Bizarre" (the Biggie, Missy and Timbaland/Magoo were generally my least favorite singles off of good albums).

"Wannabe", then maybe "Brimful of Asha" and "MMMBop". Those are the songs that I find myself singing spontaneously from those years most often, which is basically the standard I use in deciding these things.

you know what's chilling? that song "lovefool" by the cardigans. brrr.

-- s1ocki, Tuesday, October 2, 2007 12:54 PM (47 seconds ago) Bookmark Link

The very greatest year for singles since 1981 (as I've said elsewhere).

Went with "Tubthumping."

M.I.A.:

B-Rock & The Bizz: "My Baby Daddy" (LaFace 1997)
Cornershop: "Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook remix)" (Wiija 1997)
Stretch 'n' Vern present "Maddog": "Get Up! Go Insane!" (Grandslam 1997)
Belle and Sebastian: "Lazy Line Painter Jane" (Jeepster 1997)
Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112: "I'll Be Missing You" (Bad Boy 1997)
Red Rat: "Dwayne" (Opera House 1997)
Somethin' For The People: "My Love Is The Shhh!" (Warner Bros. 1997)
Aqua: "Barbie Girl" (MCA 1997)
House Heroes: "Magic Orgasm (Funk Mix)" (Twisted 1997)
Aquarius: "Find The Groove" (Submarine 1997)
Sneaker Pimps: “Spin Spin Sugar (Armand’s Dark Garage Mix)” (Virgin 1997)
She Moves: "Breaking All The Rules" (Geffen 1997)

Goddamn!! What happened? It was the passing of grunge/alternative, right (even though my sadness at Kurt's passing has been documented here)? And the more properly popist move away from Alanis and Hootie? And gals who bought freestyle and Madonna in the 1980s having kids and a bit more $ in the 1990s? Or...?

Anyway, goddamn!!!

The ONLY song I cannot hum on command is that Shawn Colvin thang. Doubt I'm missing much (watch - it'll get two votes now).

that norman cook remix didn't hit #1 in the UK until Feb 98.

People who dislike this list are completely fucking insane. I can't think of any other explanation. It's probably the best P&J singles list of the '90s. I'm going to vote for "How Bizarre," but these ones are all great, too:

Hanson: "MMMBop" (Mercury)
Chumbawamba: "Tubthumping" (Republic/Universal)
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott: "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" (The Gold Mind, Inc./EastWest)
Blur: "Song 2" (Virgin)
Cornershop: "Brimful of Asha" (Luaka Bop/Warner Bros.)
The Chemical Brothers: "Block Rockin' Beats" (Astralwerks)
The Notorious B.I.G. (Featuring Puff Daddy and Mase): "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Bad Boy)
The Notorious B.I.G.: "Hypnotize" (Bad Boy)
White Town: "Your Woman" (Virgin??Chrysalis??)
Spice Girls: "Wannabe" (Virgin)
Prodigy: "Firestarter" (Virgin)
Puff Daddy: "It's All About the Benjamins" (Bad Boy)
Timbaland and Magoo: "Up Jumps Da' Boogie" (Blackground/Atlantic)
Daft Punk: "Around the World" (Virgin)
Daft Punk: "Da Funk" (Virgin)

I was gonna comment that I often see you reppin' the OMC, Chuck, and I was wondering if the rest of that album's worth buying. I've gotta imagine that it'll be in a dollar bin somewhere.

There's a ton of good stuff on this list. Went for "Around the World".

Except for the part about voting for "How Bizarre," I am in complete agreement with xhuxk for the first time in some time. Except I'll end up voting for Janet or Erkyah.

Now watch Yo La Tengo win this one.

Its tough, Mmbop, Around the World and The Rain and Autumn Sweater. One of them. Actually, its the Kevin Shields remix of that last one that's good, so scratch that.

I like the original version of Autumn Sweater. One of my favorite Yo La Tengo tracks ever.

I often see you reppin' the OMC, Chuck, and I was wondering if the rest of that album's worth buying.

Definitely. It's still one of my favorite albums of, um, whatever year it came out. (A different year in New Zealand than in the U.S., I think.)

So were there any big rock hits in '97, or was it the transitional year between Pearl Jam/STP and Creed/Bizkit?

"Tubthumping" counts!

"How Bizarre" could have been a Flight of the Conchords song.

"Tubthumping" counts!

OK, there's the rock for '97.

AND "D'YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN"

question: does this list have the most one hit wonders, or at least artists that didn't appear in any other P&J, of all the P&J singles polls? if not, then what year would that be?

and 'barbie girl' isn't even in the top 50.

were there any big rock hits in '97

Smash Mouth were considered a rock band then, weren't they? (That's a good song too, by the way.)

"Around the World" for me, beat about seven other candidates, damn good list.

were there any big rock hits in '97

Classic or Dud - Everlong by the Foo Fighters

If only "Pony" had slipped in here somehow...

People who dislike this list are completely fucking insane.

You're useful for the occasional surprise recommendation, but basically your taste is shit.

Damn, hard one. Cornershop vs Daft Punk vs Notorious B.I.G.

Oh, and White Town. That was a fucking tyaaawn.

(I shouldn't post at work when I'm angry about work stuff, haha.)

but basically your taste is shit

Welcome to the real world, Rockist. I mean, c'mon now, are we still in high school? Is this a lol britpop thread?

Okay, fine, I'll stick with it then. xhuxk is the one who intitiates attacking people on the basis of their taste, rather than just criticizing the music.

I mean obviously that's what it translates too, but I'd say xhuxk is far more likely to express himself as though he's making an objective claim (while later admitting things are subjective).

looks like you could use some sleep, dude.

I could use some sleep, but I still have a point.

if you say so

Yeah, but usually he doesn't get so aggressive about it (or personal).

xxxp to RS

I don't even know who either of you are.

x-post

Well I don't agree. But I suppose he slips it by doing that generalized kind of thing "Anyone who thinks blah blah blah." All it takes is one logical step, "I think blah blah blah" to make it stick personally.

my god, you're right

t/s: general vs. specific

puffy but wtf @ anthony saying 'da funk' isn't memorable and double wtf @ al not liking hypnotize or mo money

Missing Plush's "No Education" so voting for Missy.

My taste is shit, and the list is crap.

And I still say anybody who doesn't like a lot of what's on it is fucking insane.

But right -- to be clear! -- that is Only. My. Opinion.

how precisely is it that anyone saying "this is the best/worst/most middling/whatever" about anything ISN'T STATING THEIR OWN OPINIONS AND NOTHING MORE, anyway? like, duh.

shh, keep it down, you're ruin the surprise!

"Okay, fine, I'll stick with it then. xhuxk is the one who intitiates attacking people on the basis of their taste, rather than just criticizing the music."

When did you become such a fucking baby?

"how precisely is it that anyone saying "this is the best/worst/most middling/whatever" about anything ISN'T STATING THEIR OWN OPINIONS AND NOTHING MORE, anyway? like, duh."

Not me. I channel General Zod's opinion.

Dean's List:

Puff Daddy & the Family: "I'll Be Missing You" (Bad Boy)
B-Rock & the Bizz: "MyBabyDaddy" (LaFace)
The Notorious B.I.G.: "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Bad Boy)
Cornershop: "Brimful of Asha" (Luaka Bop/Warner Bros.)
Mase: "Feel So Good" (Bad Boy)
Spice Girls: "Wannabe" (Virgin)
Fluke: "Atom Bomb" (Astralwerks)
Next: "Butta Love" (Arista)
OMC: "How Bizarre" (Mercury)
Lil' Kim: "Ladies Night" (Undeas/Big Beat)
Chumbawamba: "Tubthumping" (Republic/Universal)
Usher: "You Make Me Wanna . . . " (LaFace)
Smash Mouth: "Walking on the Sun" (Interscope)
Erykah Badu: "Tyrone" (Universal)
The Verve: "The Drugs Don't Work" (Virgin)
Coolio: "C U When U Get There" (Tommy Boy)
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott: "Sock It 2 Me" (The Gold Mind, Inc./EastWest)
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott: "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" (The Gold Mind, Inc./EastWest)
Blur: "Song 2" (Virgin)
Brian McKnight: "You Should Be Mine" (Mercury)
The Chemical Brothers: "Block Rockin' Beats" (Astralwerks)

Objectively: The B-Rock & the Biz and Fluke songs rank with the best songs anybody recorded in the 1990s; the Missy song that didn't make the big list may or may not be better than the one that did; almost positive the Eykah Badu song is better than the one the one that made the big list; the Coolio song is better than "Gangsta's Paradise" if not as good as "Fantastic Voyage"; I'm pretty sure I liked the Mase one a lot though I haven't heard it in forever; curious about the Next and Brian McKnight.

Songs I love:
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott: "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" (The Gold Mind, Inc./EastWest)
The Notorious B.I.G. (Featuring Puff Daddy and Mase): "Mo Money Mo Problems" (Bad Boy)
The Notorious B.I.G.: "Hypnotize" (Bad Boy)
Prodigy: "Firestarter" (Virgin)
Puff Daddy: "It's All About the Benjamins" (Bad Boy)
The Cardigans: "Lovefool" (Mercury)
Busta Rhymes: "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" (Elektra)
Sugar Ray: "Fly" (Atlantic)
Daft Punk: "Da Funk" (Virgin)

Songs I like:
Chumbawamba: "Tubthumping" (Republic/Universal)
The Verve: "Bitter Sweet Symphony" (Virgin)
Blur: "Song 2" (Virgin)
The Chemical Brothers: "Block Rockin' Beats" (Astralwerks)
Erykah Badu: "On and On" (Universal)
Smash Mouth: "Walkin' on the Sun" (Interscope)
Fiona Apple: "Criminal" (Work)
Janet Jackson: "Got Til It's Gone" (Virgin)
Timbaland and Magoo: "Up Jumps Da' Boogie" (Blackground/Atlantic)
Daft Punk: "Around the World" (Virgin)

Songs I find tolerable:
Hanson: "MMMBop" (Mercury)
OMC: "How Bizarre" (Mercury)
Spice Girls: "Wannabe" (Virgin)

Songs I don't find tolerable:
Shawn Colvin: "Sunny Came Home" (Columbia)

Songs I don't know:
Cornershop: "Brimful of Asha" (Luaka Bop/Warner Bros.)
White Town: "Your Woman" (Virgin??Chrysalis??)
Yo La Tengo: "Autumn Sweater" (Matador)

Which is a damn good score. "Firestarter"-"All About the Benjamins"-"Lovefool" is quite possibly the best three song stretch of any of these polls. I think I'll go with Puffy, but any of those three could take your average P&J.

You need to check out all three of your don't knows man.

i totally had no idea that 'u make me wanna...' came out this year!
kills basically every song on this list.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

First Pazz & Jop that would make a great soundtrack for a movie set in 1997. I closed my eyes and pointed, excepting MMBop, never got the appeal there...

Or set in its year, you know what I mean.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

Yuck.

It was bound to happen.

Smash Mouth: "Walkin' on the Sun" (Interscope) 0
Busta Rhymes: "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" (Elektra) 0
Timbaland and Magoo: "Up Jumps Da' Boogie" (Blackground/Atlantic) 0
Shawn Colvin: "Sunny Came Home" (Columbia) 0
Sugar Ray: "Fly" (Atlantic) 0
The Notorious B.I.G.: "Hypnotize" (Bad Boy) 0

only one of these songs is not totally fucking awesome! outrageous.

We should have a side poll each time to vote for which album/single will win with next to no mentions. But hey - at least Shawn Colvin got zero votes.

You need to check out all three of your don't knows man.

-- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Thursday, 4 October 2007 07:16 (2 days ago) Link

Alright, I'll take you up on this.

The opening riff of "Brimful of Asha" sounds very familiar. A couple verses in and nothing else does. The tune hasn't really gone anywhere, but that great riff carries it. This bridge is kinda interesting. "Everybody needs a bosom"? Am I hearing this right? The call and response section right afterward is even better. They finally figure out what to do with that riff. Back into the perfunctory chorus that still doesn't do much for me and the bridge that does. And now there are strings! Joy! The strings are totally the payoff. File this one under "Songs I like". And now for the dorky, I-barely-know-what-I'm-talking-about reference point, the song kind of reminds me of the tropicalista stuff. Youtube now wants me to watch videos by the Proclaimers and Monster Magnet.

man.

"Your Woman" gets the strings out the way immediately. They're not as good as "Brimful"'s strings. The rubber bass is cool, the filtered vocals less so. I love the flanged guitar riff. This is sung by a man if I'm not mistaken? The gender-fuckery is a bit too obvious to have any impact. I still don't like the warped string, although the rest of the production is pretty cool. This song needs more of a hook, too. Spacey bit in the middle is good. I take back what I said about the hook, it's pretty effectively sad. Screwed bit at the end always is great, c.f. Kanye's "Drive Slow" or Outkast's "Stanklove". This one can go in "Songs I like", too.

xp: ????

puffy but wtf @ anthony saying 'da funk' isn't memorable and double wtf @ al not liking hypnotize or mo money

-- deej, Wednesday, October 3, 2007 8:59 PM (3 days ago) Bookmark Link

Well, I didn't say that, just that they were "my least favorite singles off of good albums," which just means I prefer "Sky's The Limit" and some of the minor hits off Life After Death that didn't have videos.
"Mo Money" is cool. I never really liked "Hypnotize" that much, though, I think it's easily the weakest of his big singles.

I like the punchy drums at the beginning of "Autumn Sweater". The organ is cool, too. Another song, where I don't like the vocals at first, hopefully they'll grow on me as the other two did. Fuzz bass and congas win. Okay, fine. The vocals aren't a problem, but they benefit greatly from the production. I guess they couldn't come up with a great vocal hook either, but they just circumvent it entirely by having a great instrumental hook. Why is this fading out? It sounds incomplete, like there should be more to this, a bridge or a breakdown or something, another verse even. I feel cheated, kind of. This can go in the "Songs I like" category, too.

No, no, no. Except for "Juicy", Hypnotize is the best of his big singles.

Timbaland and Magoo: "Up Jumps Da' Boogie" (Blackground/Atlantic) 0
^^would've got 1 if I ever read ILM

"Timbs for my hooligans in Brooklyn"! "Have sex on rugs that's Persian"! That fucking bassline!!! (xp)