Don’t worry bastards, there’s no Ed Sheeran.
10. Fill Me In – Craig David
If you’re not hearing that classical guitar intro just from reading the title did you even survive the millennium bug? Oft parodied but never bettered. A talented guy tainted by the demise of chart oriented UK garage.
9. Let Me Be Your Fantasy – Baby D
This was on a Big Hits ’97 double CD compilation I had. Probably the first time I became aware of dance music without realising what it was.
8. Say It Right – Nelly Furtado
The image of Nelly to my mind will always be “follow me follow me follow me down down down” (which has its own charm) but this slick RnB about turn, and the fact that I liked it, was the unexpected way down we really wanted to follow.
7. Black & Gold – Sam Sparro
Bit of a one hit wonder was our Sam, but what a hit. And you can’t argue with his colour selection.
6. Dangerous Love – Fuse ODG & Sean Paul
The first mention for hit-maker Mr Paul. Fuse is a man of many sides. He eloquently refused to be on yet another irrelevant rehash of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’, in the actual Guardian. Also that dress looks so good, someone could die.
5. Kiesza – Hideaway
I wonder if Kiesza curses this song now – it seems unlikely she’ll achieve another runaway success like it again. Great video.
4. Cheap Thrills – Sia (feat. Sean Paul)
In a way it’s a shame that Sia found her success with this and David Guetta collabs when her voice and songwriting talent had gone unrecognised for so long. At the same time I don’t care and I have some closely held memories attached to this song.
3. Bounce (feat. Kelis) – Calvin Harris
Festival main stage. Sun shining. Kelis comes to the stage. “I’m not here to entertain you, only to pleasure myself”. Doo-doo doo doo doo doo-doo doo.
2. Be The One – Dua Lipa
The top three here all have their “doo-doo” moments but I’ll spare you having to read them all. Dua didn’t just hint at global success with this early single, more a statement of intent.
1. Lean On – Major Lazer & DJ Snake (feat. MØ)
Major Lazer only counts streams in billions (2.9 on YouTube, 1.5 on Spotify). Another for the memories. I started typing the memories, but they’re boring for you because you weren’t there, so I stopped. Anyway, stop giving a fuck and just enjoy it.
Words by James Spearing
Picky Bastards 