100 - Toni Braxton - He Wasn't Man Enough
99 - Architects - Body Groove
98 - Next - Wifey
97 - Colour Girl - Can't Get Used To Losing You
96 - Will Smith - Freakin' It
95 - Christina Aguilera - I Turn To You
94 - Destiny's Child - Independent Women
93 - Christina Aguilera - What A Girl Wants
92 - Savage Garden - Affirmation
91 - Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue - Kids
90 - Sisqo - Thong Song
89 - Mary Mary - Shackles
88 - Eagle Eye Cherry feat. Neneh Cherry - Long Way Around
87 - Tru Faith and Dub Conspiracy feat. Imaani - Freak Like Me
86 - Kosheen - Hide U
85 - Ooberman - Dolphin Blue
84 - Mandy Moore - I Wanna Be With You
83 - Sugababes - New Year
82 - K-Gee - I Don't Really Care
81 - Madonna - Music
80 - Beautiful South - Just Checkin'
79 - Andreas Johnson - The Games We Play
78 - Aurora featuring Naimee Coleman - Ordinary World
77 - Ninety-9 - Willow
76 - N'n'G featuring Kallaghan and MC Neat - Right Before My Eyes (remix)
75 - DJ Dee-Kline - I Don't Smoke
74 - Jamelia - Boy Next Door
73 - Wookie - Battle
72 - Santana featuring Wyclef Jean and either Joe or the Product G and B
71 - Zed Bias - Neighbourhood
70 - Emiliana Torrini - Unemployed In Summertime
69 - R Kelly - Only The Loot Can Make Me Happy
68 - Macy Gray - Still
67 - Bon Jovi - Thank You For Loving Me
66 - Mary Mary - I Sings
65 - DJ Luck and MC Neat featuring JJ - Ain't No Stopping Us
64 - Beautiful South - Closer Than Most
63 - Guru's Jazzmatazz featuring Angie Stone - Keep Your Worries
62 - Mekon featuring Roxanne Shante - What's Going On?
61 - Bon Jovi - It's My Life
60 - R Kelly - I Wish
59 - Lonestar - Smile
58 - Gabrielle - Rise
57 - Raissa - How Long Do I Get?
56 - Bob Marley and MC Lyte - Jammin'
55 - David Gray - Babylon
54 - Lynden David Hall - Sleeping With Victor
53 - Emiliana Torrini - Easy
52 - DJ Luck and MC Neat - A Little Bit Of Luck
51 - Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg - Still D.R.E.
50 - Toploader - Just Hold On
49 - De La Soul featuring Chaka Khan - All Good
48 - Melanie C - If That Were Me
47 - Green Day - Warning
46 - Billie Piper - Walk Of Life
45 - Monie Love - Slice Of Da Pie
44 - Craig David - Walking Away
43 - Bluetones - Autophilia
42 - Eels - Mr E's Beautiful Blues
41 - Less Than Jake - All My Best Friends Are Metalheads

40 - Soulwax - Much Against Everyone's Advice
Soulwax were one of the good discoveries of 2000. Sadly, their only forays into the top 40 were with "Too Many DJs". This song, which got heavy play on MTV2, was a classic piece of indie-rock, with a killer chorus that was anthemic to the end.

39 - Delirious? - It's OK
Yet again, Delirious? released a song that was only bought by their fanbase, but I think I'm slowly becoming part of it. Much of their stuff (e.g. "I've Found Jesus") is very Christian orientated, but this is an indie ballad that Radiohead would've been proud of had they written it. Not one to cheer you up, but certainly very a beautiful piece of indie music. If only it had had airplay!

38 - Coldplay - Trouble
Probably the biggest discovery of the year was Coldplay. Yellow - an okay bit of indie music - was played to death. This beautiful follow-up is the first of many very fragile songs in this top 40, filled with emotion. The arrangement is simple with piano, guitar and drums, making a good backing.

37 - Beautiful South - The River
Yes, it's another beautiful song by a band - although this is quite literally beautiful - Beautiful South! They have the ability to do both upbeat songs and ballads effortlessly. This year, their best one was a ballad, the highlight on what was a rather disappointing follow-up to "Quench" but still worth buying. I'm not quite sure what the lyrics mean - "If you've got love's A to Z, don't go dredging riverbeds." - anyone able to help?

36 - Eminem - The Way I Am
And now, as they say, for something completely different. Eminem is what can only be described as a gifted lyricist. Here he talks about the price of fame, and in particular, the price of notoriety. Maybe not the most commercial of songs, it deals with many controversial issues, such as the school shooting blamed on the killer being a Marilyn Manson fan. The one thing I can't understand is why when nigga is removed from radio/TV versions, wigga is perfectly alright? The video shows he is at his end, as he falls off a building from VERY high

35 - Donell Jones - U Know What's Up
Back at the end of 1999, everyone knew that this would be big, very big. The smooth RnB grooves of Donell, with the first of two controversial raps of the year by Left-Eye. The real shame, however was that he was moreorless a one hit wonder, with "Shorty" falling to 19 and then his decision not to release any more of the album.

34 - Bloodhound Gang - The Bad Touch
"You and me baby ain't nothing but mammals, so let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel". Strangely enough, I've never seen a Discovery Channel program on animal mating, but nature shows must certainly have got a boost from this massive hit. Probably the rudest band in the world today (only beaten in the music industry as a whole by Weird Al Yankovic), this was undoubtedly one of the year's classic hits.

33 - Tomcat - Crazy
From a hit that everyone remembers to one sadly unnoticed. Tomcat are the new Madness, a part Scouse, part Cockney band full of fun. This hit was definitely "Crazy" with an equally "Crazy" video involving the band playing beach football against a team of old ladies and attractive girls, who beat them hands down - but they were playing their guitars at the time!

32 - Wyclef Jean featuring The Rock and Melky Sedeck - It Doesn't Matter
Wyclef returned in style in 2000 with this impressive collaboration. If someone were to say that one of my top 40 hits would be by a WWF wrestling star, I'd've probably laughed (as WWF is such a joke anyway), but the Rock, with his catchphrase "It Doesn't Matter", really makes this song. Wyclef boasts through the whole song, whilst the Rock puts a new twist to "It Doesn't Matter", making it actually meaningful. Melky Sedeck, a brother/sister duo who are younger relatives of Wyclef, apparently appear, but all I can find is a female singer (maybe one from Melky Sedeck).

31 - Kelis - Caught Out There
"I Hate You So Much Right Now!!!" The ultimate in girl power RnB was this song by Kelis. Whilst acts like Destiny's Child, Pink, Kandi etc. mainly tell us men off, Kelis does so in style! This hilarious song was one you either loved or hated. I loved it! However, I wouldn't want to be Kelis's boyfriend - you don't know what she'd do!

30 - Sade - By Your Side
Sade made their triumphant return in 2000 with this beautiful song. It showed the newer acts what beauty really is in a song. I've yet to hear much of their earlier stuff, but if "By Your Side" is anything to go by, it should be amazing.

29 - Maxim featuring Skin - Carmen Queasy
I can't stand the Prodigy, and I don't care too much for Skunk Anansie, but where this song came from, I'll never know. It is far more chilled than any of the stuff that Prodigy have done to date, and lacks the angry shouting of some Skunk Anansie tracks. It does still however have a certain amount of power and emotion. The only downside is Maxim's rather poor rhythm on his rapping on this otherwise fascinating track.

28 - Moloko - Indigo
?And from one totally bizarre dance track, to an even more bizarre one. Easily Moloko's finest moment to date, this track is made by two words. "Ramases! Colossus!" Both of these tracks are good, purely and simply because they are such a huge breath of fresh air from the stuff that is normally released.

27 - Dr. Dre featuring Eminem - Forgot About Dre
The second of many Eminem appearances in the top 40 come courtesy of mentor Dr. Dre. I never knew about it, but it seems that homies in the ghettos of major US cities don't like the fact that Dre is successful, rather like people here whose favourite band are terrible as soon as they hit the top of the charts because they've "sold out". Dre is still doing the stuff he was doing, just doing it better. Don't forget about the guy who gave us NWA, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and the mighty 2Pac or he'll be after you!

26 - Jamelia featuring Beenie Man - Money
When Jamelia released her first hit "I Do", everyone was proclaiming her the big new thing in UK RnB but I never knew why? ?until she released "Money". This is probably the best produced song of the year. It's long, (6:21 in full) but makes use of the time well. The legendary video set in the Georgian times is another masterpiece. Beenie Man adds an element of humour with his excellent reggae rapping. It annoyed me when I read near the end of the year, that the uncredited opera singer didn't approve as her voice was only meant to be used for Charlotte Church. The Times claimed that rap star Jamelia was merely miming over the opera star's vocals and inferred that the opera singer was singing the song. Hmmm.

25 - Toploader - Dancing In The Moonlight
When this first came out, I didn't rave over it. Then I got into Toploader. Then I bought the album and went to the concert, and got a lot more into it. Then it was rereleased after tour success. Then along came Sainsbury's and turned it into an advert tune. As I write, it is at 17 and climbing back up the chart. The song itself has a really good summery vibe, so why it was released in February and then November, I'll never know.

24 - Wyclef Jean featuring Mary J Blige - 911
The wacky collaboration with The Rock that was mentioned earlier, was amazing, but it was just beaten by this gem. "The Ecleftic" (his album) was definitely eclectic! Wyclef shows his sensitive side that has been hidden since "Gone 'Til November" - arguably his finest moment. The main chorus line is said with emotion, but it really didn't need to be used as a constant backing. Other than that, this is one of the best RnB ballads ever!

23 - Craig David - Fill Me In
If you were to ask for one soloist to name as best new British talent (or even possibly best British talent) of 2000, it would have to be Craig David. His style is unique, yet reassuringly familiar. This hit "Fill Me In" introduced him as a solo star, to few predictions. When in his first week he headed a new top 6 including such greats as Steps and Richard Ashcroft's debut solo single, people realised he was a force to be reckoned with. If people haven't yet bought the album - buy it. It is all in the same style as this song but not too similar to one another (apart from his first song he wrote, which was sampled on "Rewind" which is on at the end)

22 - Elevator Suite - Backaround
Another song that was criminally ignored this year was "Backaround". Radio 1 played it quite a bit, but shops didn't stock much of it and so it entered at 72. This is a real feel-good indie track with an amazing chorus

21 - Clinic - The Second Line
"Diggi Diggi De Momenon" What are these lyrics??? Who knows? Who cares? It's maybe best not to know as that would merely detract from the amazingness of this song. A really chilled out indie/trance tune from a band to look out for. Sadly, this only obtained success after jeans adverts, and even then didn't dent the top 40.

20 - Elwood - Sundown
Into the 20 we go. This was released 1 week after Elevator Suite's "Backaround", had just as much publicity, and also flopped to a position outside the 70! This is marginally better however, with rapping rather like Len's "Cryptik Souls Crew" which itself maybe should be on this 100. I don't know who Elwood are, but they are certainly very talented. If this single is anything to go by, everyone reading this (all 2 of you!) should go and purchase a copy of the album "The Parlance Of Our Time"

19 - JJ72 - October Swimmer
I recently bought a copy of "JJ72" by JJ72, and although its all good, nothing quite compares to their first two big singles. Here is "October Swimmer" at 19, a powerful ballad filled with emotion. One of a number of new bands imitating Radiohead in 2000, this lot have one major distinction from all the others, the pitch of voice the lead singer can get to - you'd think he was female sometimes!

18 - Craig David - Seven Days
Appearing just 5 places after "Fill Me In" is Craig's second solo single "Seven Days". Boy, I wish I had his luck - meet someone on Monday, take her for a drink on Tuesday, and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday he's making love. Now that's a week! This is another perfectly crafted RnB song, with that definite garage vibe thrown in again for good measure.

17 - DJ Luck and MC Neat featuring JJ - Masterblaster 2000
DJ Luck and MC Neat have been at the forefront of the UK garage vibe for the whole year, but they're still to release an album! This has to be their crowning moment, however, crashing into the chart at number 4. DJ Luck provides a really funky garage backing which although simple seems to work perfectly. JJ provides a really soulful vocal over the top, singing a number originally done by Stevie Wonder. However, the best part of any DJ Luck and MC Neat song is the MC Neat rap - Garage as it should be!

16 - Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Californication
It was my mum that had to point out that this could have some sexual meanings with the title containing "fornication". However, I think that it is merely a good ol' song about the US state. A powerful rock ballad, this had one of the best videos of the year, involving each member of RHCP as a character in a video game. I never used to be in to RHCP but this song is an amazing feel-good song. Their previous hit "Otherside" nearly made this top 100.

15 - Ooberman - Shorley Wall
Yet another song that didn't make the top 40, but this one had the insult of Westlife topping the chart the same week. One of my housemates said "That didn't make the chart? That's actually a good song!" That sums it up. The rather quirky Ooberman never seem to fail to disappoint, and this hit about a girl who leaves everything to go to the coast and sell sea-shells, eventually to be confronted by the sea god and encouraged to join them, sums up their quirkiness. Danny and Sophie, the vocalists have really good voices for this style of music. Ooberman need more success, as they could've had, had they released their last single "Dolphin Blue" with more than 2000 copies!

14 - Heather Small - Proud
2000 saw Heather Small start her solo career, and everyone said "I don't know why she left M People - it sounds just the same" but it doesn't, okay! M People are a dance group, who got Heather Small, a soul singer, in to do vocals. The album "Proud" is full of much more laid back hits - no hints towards "Dreamin'" or "How Can I Love You More?" here, just classic soul anthems. Heather has an amazingly powerful voice, and this single proved she can cut it just as well solo as in M People.

13 - Gabrielle - Should I Stay?
After the release of "When A Woman", I decided to buy the Gabrielle album. After listening a few times, I picked out one more single potential - "Should I Stay". It is easily the most beautiful Gabrielle track ever, far eclipsing "Rise" (which landed at 58 in my year chart) It can't be described, it must be listened to.

12 - Morcheeba - Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
One of the ultimate songs of the year has to be "Rome Wasn't Built In A Day". I'd never really heard of Morcheeba before, but this single is amazing. It can lift you up however down you are. I always imagine it as the ultimate song to blast out loud in a shopping centre, and get everyone dancing, as it could appeal to anyone!

11 - JJ72 - Oxygen
Is it really 8 songs since "October Swimmer"? Well, yes, and here at 11 is the other JJ72 song - "Oxygen". Whilst "October Swimmer" is beautiful; this has power. They really goes for the chorus with its anthemic "We Don't Need Oxygen!" (which they obviously do). It sadly didn't quite make the 20, but it gave it its best shot!

10 - Glamma Kid - Bills 2 Pay
Into the 10 we go with the rather mad reggae superstar that is Glamma Kid. Has anyone injected more upbear a set of tunes into the chart? Certainly not this side of Steps! Unfortunately he seems to have forgotten about his bills - and all his things from his showbiz mansion have been reposessed - and now none of his female friends want to know him. Ahhh! He doesn't seem to be too unhappy though! Anyone who slates him as pop-reggae should check out his album for some serious reggae including duets with Beenie Man and Maxi Priest

9 - Eminem featuring Dido - Stan
This is probably the most f**ked up song of the year. Basically, Stan, got into Eminem, bought the Slim Shady LP, listened to it, and was able to relate to everything in it. He writes to Eminem desparate for a response, and tells his tale. He too had a friend who committed suicide (Eminem's Gran is wanting his uncle Ronnie's body excavated to prove he did NOT commit suicide!) His room is full of posters, but other than that, the first verse is pretty normal. As we progress into the second verse, Stan is getting more annoyed because Eminem still hasn't written to him. He took his 6-year-old brother to an Eminem concert - obviously forcing him to like Eminem from the video, and then claims that his brother is the bigger. Then comes the big thing. Stan thinks that Eminem really does cut his wrists, something Stan does because "the pain is such a sudden rush to (him)". His girlfriend (played in the video by Dido, is not too happy with the situation, particularly as Stan would rather have Eminem as a partner, than her. In the third verse, however, he snaps. He is driving down the road, whilst drunk. His girlfriend is tied up in the trunk and we can hear her faint screams for help. He drives the car off a bridge, killing himself, and his pregnant girlfriend, but also meaning that Eminem does not receive this last tape that Stan recorded. Then, finally Eminem replies, answering all questions and requests from the first two verses and then says "But what's this s**t you said about you like to cut your wrists too? I say that s**t just clowning dog - c'mon, how f**ked up is you?" He is thinking of ways to save Stan, and also saying how he doesn't want to "be with" Stan. He remembers a recent news story. "Some guy was drunk, and drove his car over a bridge, and had his girlfriend in the trunk and she was pregnant with his kid, and in the car they found a tape - it didn't say who it was to. Come to think about it, his name was?
? it was you, damn"

8 - Toploader - Achilles Heel
Achilles Heel is an indie-rock ballad at its finest. It starts beautifully quiet and then rouses to a really powerful chorus. As for what the lyrics are actually going on about - I don't know! Could someone please enlighten me on what reference the rest of the song has to an Achilles Heel?

7 - Enya - Only Time
I still can't believe how on earth Enya made my top 10. But? the song really deserves it. I don't think there has been a more beautiful piece of music released this year (that I have heard, at least) The arrangement is excellent, helping you to drift away easily to it. It is easily the standout track on what is an excellent and very beautiful album. As for the lyrics - who cares? - the song is so beautiful, there's no need for complicated lyrics - they'd only complicate it.

6 - Muse - Unintended
From the most beautiful song of the year to the second most beautiful, and certainly the most fragile. Unintended is a simple love song, simply sung, backed at first by a single acoustic guitar before a drum gives it a bit more rhythm. Everyone was praising Muse as the new Radiohead - they are, but they have this one track which really is up there with the best Radiohead tracks. Amazing

5 - Eminem - The Real Slim Shady
"Will the real Slim Shady Please Stand Up" - Eminem's 4th his on the chart is obviously his best and undoubtedly his funniest moment ever. He leaves the swearing behind, and goes for all out humour. Move over Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, 'N Sync, Fred Durst, Carson Daly, Will Smith etc.. You are about to be severely dissed! The thing is I've never seen or heard a fake Slim Shady! The chorus is the ultimate sing-a-long. Even more amazing!

4 - Heather Small - Holding On
How, when "Proud" made 16 did "Holding On" fail to make the top 50? "Holding On" is far better, the ultimate in modern day soul music. Heather's voice is strong as ever.

3. Lonestar - Amazed
The lyrics said it all. "I don't know why you do what you do? I'm so in love with you! It just keeps getting better. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you by my side, for ever and ever. And every little thing that you do? baby I'm amazed by you!" When it first entered the chart at 24 and I first heard it, I thought it was okay. Then it grew on me. As for it's charting, it was one of the most bizarre of the year, going 24 - 23 - 30 - 36 - 32 - 30 - 28 - 26 - 21 - 23 - 22 - 22 - 21 - 26 - 30 - 35 - 37 - 42 - 51 - 56 - 64 - 73. Whilst most songs fell quickly out of the chart, Lonestar managed to make "Amazed" stay for 17 weeks in the 40 without ever making the 20! The song itself is a powerful ballad and probably the most commercial song from the album "Lonely Grill" - yes, Lonestar are a country band at heart and most of the other songs wouldn't appeal to the masses. They do however continue a trend. 1998 - LeAnn Rimes - "How Do I Live", 1999 - Shania Twain - "That Don't Impress Me Much", 2000 - Lonestar - "Amazed". All three were the longest running songs of their year without making the top spot. All three were the token big country songs of their year. What is it about country music that makes it last so long?

2. Bluetones - Keep The Home Fires Burning
Undoubtedly the best Bluetones song to date, "Keep The Home Fires Burning" was one of the most emotional songs of the year 2000. There has been problem at home, some sort of row going on or something, and someone has become fed up and has gone to a mates place. It has the novelty of being one of the few hits to feature a brass band. I really am having difficulty describing it - it really has to be listened to to fully appreciate it.

1. TQ - Daily
Oh for a week like Craig David! Oh NOT for a day like TQ. First when trying to get troubles off his mind whilst watering the grass his girlfriend phones up and starts complaining about something and they end up having an argument. He goes to check the mail - it's late AGAIN ;-(. He won't get paid on Monday 'cause it's a bank holiday. He has no TV signal and so can't watch the game. His car is leaking all over the driveway and someone (I think his brother) drives it away (maybe to get fixed!) Unfortunately he's taken the house keys [:-(], the door is locked [:-((] and if all that wasn't enough it starts to RAIN [Doh!] The tale is told in an amazingly funky song and by the end of it you really feel for him. If you like either RnB or Hip Hop (or both) he is someone that really must be checked out!

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