Here we go again. We’re in the 90s this week and I really wanted to look at 93 and 94 to compare and contrast the musical highs of my school year group’s birth years but then I realised I’d been in the years ending ‘5’ and figured I shouldn’t go off script.

So anyway, it’s 1995 this time around. Honestly…weak year in my opinion. Only 17 tracks peaked at No 1 so a shorter list this time. As usual, I’m only including songs released in 1995 and will try to separate art from artist where necessary.

Let’s go!

17. Don’t Stop (Wiggle Wiggle) – The Outhere Brothers (1)

Yeah, no.

16. Love Can Build a Bridge – Cher, Chrissie Hynde, Neneh Cherry with Eric Clapton (1)

A Comic Relief song and a snooze. The music video features Cher, Chrissie and Neneh all staring at you down the camera. It’s unnerving.

15. Boom Boom Boom – The Outhere Brothers (4)

Better than they’re other effort but still…seriously? Number one??

14. Boombastic – Shaggy (1)

Of all of Shaggy’s UK No 1s this is by far the least impressive.

13. Unchained Melody – Robson and Jerome (7)

This is just another example of the UK charts being bizarre. Actors Robson Green and Jerome Flynn (yes, Bronn from Game of Thrones) sang this song in a TV series called Soldier Soldier and people loved it so much that Simon Cowell harassed them to get them for months to record a studio version of it. And people went nuts for it. THIS was the biggest selling single of 1995! Given the UK’s clear fondness for Unchained Melody (it’s the only song to have topped the UK chart by four different artists, (you can transfer me my share of your pub quiz win later)) I reckon even I could score a No 1 with it. As for the best version? For those who topped the charts it has to be The Righteous Brothers version, but my favourite is a certain X Factor winner’s live performance…

12. I Believe / Up on the Roof – Robson and Jerome (4)

They’re back! Honestly, this double A side is actually better than Unchained Melody because neither track tries too hard. For a real treat though, go listen to Carole King’s version of Up on the Roof instead.

11. You Are Not Alone – Michael Jackson (2)

I’m not a fan of this song at all but appreciate that it’s a favourite of many. That said, if we’re going to give MJ UK No1s why couldn’t it have been Thriller, Smooth Criminal or Man in the Mirror (10, 8 and 2 respectively)?

10. Earth Song – Michael Jackson (4)

Marginally better than You Are Not Alone but still meh. Onkar Judge’s cover is a delight though – look it up. 

9. Think Twice – Celine Dion (7)

Celine had a monster hit with this and only My Heart Will Go On has eclipsed it in the UK…and yet…if you asked me to sing it, I’d have to think twice about the melody…why is it so forgettable?! It’s a pleasant enough listen though.

8. Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex (3)

A song with the sole purpose of being used in school discos and weddings…never out of rotation for that reason.

7. Dreamer – Livin’ Joy (1)

Picture this: it’s summer 1995, you’re at the club, this song starts to play. You’re welcome. 

6. Some Might Say – Oasis (1)

I feel like this is one of those tracks that would be used on of the soundtrack to some coming-of-age teen movie – regardless of its lyrics and sentiment it just sounds that way.

5. Never Forget – Take That (3)

Howard Donald (i.e. not Robbie, Gary, lil’ Mark or the Orange one) sings the lead vocal on this which is a fun fact I suppose. Robbie left Take That midway through this song’s promo – maybe he thought it was a bit too ‘high school leavers’ because I sure do.

4. Country House – Blur (2)

Talk about catchy. In the 1995 Britpop No 1 battle, Blur defeated Oasis.

3. Fairground – Simply Red (4)

If, like me, you’re too young to actually remember 1995, you might not know this song from its title.  But go and listen to the chorus and tell me you haven’t heard this 100 times before.

2. Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolie feat. L.V. (2)

It’s been covered, sampled, parodied, used in the trailer for the 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog movie (does anyone else remember the HORRIFIC first version of that trailer??? YouTube is your friend/enemy), it’s iconic. 

1. Back for Good – Take That (4)

I find Gary Barlow insufferable but this is a great song. And yes, I know it’s a Take That song and not a Gary Barlow song but let’s face it, the other four really are just his back up singers on this track. Arguably Gangsta’s Paradise is the more iconic song but it doesn’t light up the karaoke booth quite the same way as this does. 

Second the Best

Two massive Britpop staples failed to hit No1; Pulp’s Common People and Oasis’ Wonderwall – crazy!

Across the Pond

Gangsta’s Paradise was the biggest hit stateside but TLC’s Waterfalls also scored seven weeks at the top. Over here it peaked at No 4.

The Hit that Got Away

Pulp may have achieved No 2 with Common People but my preferred track of theirs is Disco 2000 which only managed No 7.