That chorus is amazing!
Mixed Pop Groups & Duos Rate • WINNER ANNOUNCED
- Thread starter Doodvid
- Start date
she/her
Me being a lowest scorer with an 8 woah their mind really
go vengaboys!!!
go vengaboys!!!
Like I've already said, I'd never heard Karma Karma before and gave it a 10 after the first listen. Learning the history behind the song helps me understand why!
he/him
It’s been a long long journey (this rate idea was germinating at least 18 months ago) but finally we made it!
I’m about to reveal the winner of our Mixed Pop Groups and Duos Rate but before I do, I just wanted to thank every single person who’s interacted with this labour of love in some way, shape or form - whether it be voting, following along, commenting, sharing insights and recommendations, indulging us hosts and our desire to go off on a tangent, supporting behind the scenes with kind words…it really has meant a lot and helped with motivation to power on through during a time where ‘real life’ really has been a challenge in so many ways.
I personally want to say a huge thank you to my partner in crime @Ezz - he’s been just awesome to set this all up with. We’ve laughed, nearly cried (hosting a rate can break you!), been shady, shared musical finds - it’s been an absolute pleasure! You know you’ve found the perfect co-host when he’s messaging you from a dancefloor at 1am to say Steps’ ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ was just played…
Here’s a few candid snaps of us from Rates HQ:
This is us signing up officially with @londonrain and @ohnostalgia - sadly no pictures exist of us each also having to promise to handover our first-born to get on the rate queue:
Me (on the left) hearing Ezz (on the right) gave his 12 to Soul U*nique:
Realising we only had 5 more eliminations to write:
After writing those eliminations, emerging from the cellar, and seeing daylight for the first time in months:
Me (on the left) hearing Ezz (on the right) gave his 12 to Soul U*nique:
Realising we only had 5 more eliminations to write:
After writing those eliminations, emerging from the cellar, and seeing daylight for the first time in months:
Last edited:
he/him
Our Top 100 to this point:
100-91
#100 Fast Food Rockers - ‘Fast Food Song’
#99 Club 2Gethr - ‘Livin’ The Dream’
#98 Marvin and Tamara - ‘Groove Machine’
#97 Fast Food Rockers - ‘I Love Christmas’
#96 Electro Velvet - 'Still In Love With You'
#95 Bro'Sis - 'I Believe’
#94 allSTARS* - ‘Best Friends’
#93 Soul U*nique - ‘3iL (Thrill)’
#92 VS - ‘Love You Like Mad’
#91 Deuce - ‘Let’s Call It A Day’
90-81
#90 Cherona - 'Rigga-Ding-Dong Song’
#89 I Dream featuring Frankie & Calvin - ‘Dreaming'
#88 Vengaboys - 'Forever As One’
#87 Scandal’us - ‘Me Myself & I'
#86 allSTARS* - ‘Going All The Way’
#85 Jump5 - ‘Spinnin’ Around’
#84 Clock - ‘It’s Over’
#83 Six - ‘United We Stand’
#82 Cartoons - 'Witch Doctor'
#81 Six - 'This Is It'
80-71
#80 Boom! - 'Falling’
#79 Jemini - ‘Cry Baby’
#78 S Club Juniors - ‘Automatic High'
#77 Brotherhood of Man - 'Angelo'
#76 Ch!pz - '1001 Arabian Nights'
#75 allSTARS* - ‘Is There Something I Should Know’
#74 Stargate - ‘Easier Said Than Done’
#73 Supernatural - 'Supernatural'
#72 Björn Again - 'A Little Respect’
#71 Scene 23 - ‘I Really Don’t Think So'
70-61
#70 Deuce - 'No Surrender'
#69 Fast Food Rockers - ‘Say Cheese (Smile Please)’
#68 Scooch - ‘Flying The Flag (For You)’
#67 VS - 'Make It Hot'
#66 Six - 'After The Goldrush'
#65 Optimystic - 'Best Thing In The World'
#64 Six - ‘There’s A Whole Lot Of Lovin’ Goin’ On’
#63 Hear’Say - ‘Lovin’ Is Easy’
#62 Bardo - 'One Step Further'
#61 Boyz N Girlz United - 'Messed Around'
60-51
#60 allSTARS* - ‘Back When’
#59 beFour - ‘All 4 One’
#58 Go!Go!Go! - 'Back In The Day'
#57 Now United - 'Who Would Think That Love?'
#56 Scooch - 'When My Baby'
#55 Pop! - 'Xanadu'
#54 Six - ‘Let Me Be The One’
#53 S Club 8 - ‘Don’t Tell Me You’re Sorry’
#52 Vengaboys - ‘Uncle John From Jamaica’
#51 VS - 'Call U Sexy’
50-41
#50 Tight Fit - ‘Fantasy Island’
#49 Daze - ‘Superhero’
#48 Fast Food Rockers - ‘Unforgettable’
#47 Liberty X - ‘Jumpin’’
#46 2 Unlimited - ‘Nothing Like The Rain’
#45 Vengaboys - ‘Kiss (When The Sun Don’t Shine’
#44 Liberty X - ‘Holding On For You’
#43 H & Claire - ‘Centre Of My Heart’
#42 Same Difference - ‘Heartbeat’
#41 Hear’Say - ‘Pure And Simple’
40-31
#40 Same Difference - ‘Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)’
#39 allSTARS* - ‘The Land Of Make Believe’
#38 Aqua - ‘Back To The 80’s’
#37 Deuce - ‘Rumours’
#36 Hear’Say - ‘Everybody’
#35 Scooch - ‘Music To My Heart’
#34 H & Claire - ‘Too Close To Tears’
#33 Scooch - ‘For Sure’
#32 Aqua - ‘Cartoon Heroes’
#31 H & Claire ‘Half A Heart’
30-21
#30 Deuce - ‘I Need You’
#29 Vengaboys - ‘We’re Going To Ibiza’
#28 S Club Juniors - ‘New Direction’
#27 S Club Juniors - ‘One Step Closer’
#26 Deuce - ‘Call It Love’
#25 Scooch - ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’
#24 Deuce - ‘On The Bible’
#23 Pop! - ‘Serious’
#22 Infernal - ‘From Paris To Berlin’
#21 Army Of Lovers - ‘Crucified’
20-11
#20 H & Claire - ‘DJ’
#19 Same Difference - ‘Souled Out’
#18 Same Difference - ‘We R One’
#17 S Club 8 - ‘Fool No More’
#16 Scooch - ‘More Than I Needed To Know’
#15 Aqua - ‘Turn Back Time’
#14 Liberty X - ‘Thinking It Over’
#13 allSTARS* - ‘Things That Go Bump In The Night’
#12 H & Claire - ‘All Out Of Love’
#11 Pop! - ‘Heaven And Earth’
THE TOP 10
#10 ATC - ‘Around The World (La La La La La)’
#9 Aqua - ‘Barbie Girl’
#8 Aqua - ‘Doctor Jones’
#7 S Club 8 - ‘Sundown’
#6 Richard X vs. Liberty X - ‘Being Nobody’
#5 Pop! - ‘Can’t Say Goodbye’
#4 Hear’Say - ‘The Way To Your Love’
#3 Same Difference feat. Alcazar - ‘Karma Karma’
he/him
The time has come.
The rate voters anxiously await the hosts with their big chart reveal.
Which of Liberty X and Vengaboys got so tantalisingly close to the top spot but stumbled at the last second?
The rate voters anxiously await the hosts with their big chart reveal.
Which of Liberty X and Vengaboys got so tantalisingly close to the top spot but stumbled at the last second?
“I want you in my room”
#2
Vengaboys - ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!’
Average score: 9.432
High scorers: @iheartpoptarts (11) @unnameable @Ana Raquel @Untouchable Ace @AcerBenII @Markus1981 @DJHazey @MilesAngel @berserkboi @j267 @idratherjack @Conan @Sprockrooster @Remorque @Doodvid (14 x 10)
Low scorers: @Hybridcookie (7) @Hudweiser (7.5) @Wezzo @Lost In Japan. @Ezz (3 x 8)
Notable achievements:
Worldwide hit during 1998 and 1999 including #1 in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, New Zealand, and Norway.
Reached the US Billboard Hot 100
Has sold over 1 million copies in the UK
Possibly the only song in the rate that was used by a viral malware as a means of “torturing” the users of computers remotely controlled by their attackers by playing this track on repeat! (This isn’t a cue to make some smart remark about the Fast Food Rockers)
But what a second place track eh? So it’s Vengaboys who storm to the silver position with the strongest performing 90s representative of this rate, the irrepressibly catchy ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!’. It was the massive success of this single, in the UK at least, that elevated Vengaboys from the dreaded category of easily written-off novelty act and proved they had potential to be a credible (OK maybe that’s stretching it a bit!) chart force with a bright future ahead of them. Signed to legendary dance label Positiva Records*, with ‘Boom…’ the group definitely swerved more towards a pop sound than the public had heard on earlier dancefloor-orientated releases ‘Up And Down’ and ‘We Like To Party (The Vengabus)’.
*Posting this image just for @Ezz:
Hearing those first bars of the song and I’m instantly transported back to the glorious carefree summer of ‘99. The sun was shining (I stupidly looked at it during the solar eclipse and subsequently still have little burn marks on my retinas - oops), pop was unapologetically and rightfully ruling the airwaves once more, everything felt a little bit more optimistic - and Vengaboys were an integral feature of the soundtrack to that part of my lifetime. ‘Boom…’ has been the most enduring of their hits, not only in this rate, but with a certain section of the general public in the UK:
OK - not really my kinda social scene these days but any community that encourages spontaneous Vengaboys raves can’t be all bad right?
Reached the US Billboard Hot 100
Has sold over 1 million copies in the UK
Possibly the only song in the rate that was used by a viral malware as a means of “torturing” the users of computers remotely controlled by their attackers by playing this track on repeat! (This isn’t a cue to make some smart remark about the Fast Food Rockers)
But what a second place track eh? So it’s Vengaboys who storm to the silver position with the strongest performing 90s representative of this rate, the irrepressibly catchy ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!’. It was the massive success of this single, in the UK at least, that elevated Vengaboys from the dreaded category of easily written-off novelty act and proved they had potential to be a credible (OK maybe that’s stretching it a bit!) chart force with a bright future ahead of them. Signed to legendary dance label Positiva Records*, with ‘Boom…’ the group definitely swerved more towards a pop sound than the public had heard on earlier dancefloor-orientated releases ‘Up And Down’ and ‘We Like To Party (The Vengabus)’.
*Posting this image just for @Ezz:
Hearing those first bars of the song and I’m instantly transported back to the glorious carefree summer of ‘99. The sun was shining (I stupidly looked at it during the solar eclipse and subsequently still have little burn marks on my retinas - oops), pop was unapologetically and rightfully ruling the airwaves once more, everything felt a little bit more optimistic - and Vengaboys were an integral feature of the soundtrack to that part of my lifetime. ‘Boom…’ has been the most enduring of their hits, not only in this rate, but with a certain section of the general public in the UK:
OK - not really my kinda social scene these days but any community that encourages spontaneous Vengaboys raves can’t be all bad right?
Voters say:
@iheartpoptarts 11
I can’t even write an explanation, it’s just the catchiest song in the world.
@DJHazey 10
Interesting that We Like to Party didn't make the cut, it's okay though because I always loved this hit more. Rhyming 'boom' and 'room' is more genius than the best songwriters are willing to admit.
@berserkboi 10
A classic, and also one of the times I felt a little represented in the media as a teen!
@Doodvid 10
Dancing to this at Rosie’s Pumphouse in 1999 during a loaded DJ set including such iconic songs as Cher’s ‘Believe’ is a fond memory. I can smell the alcopops and cheap bodyspray already…
@saviodxl 9.5
Obligatory in 90s parties playlists.
Sha La La La too.
Sha La La La too.
@Ezz 8
My most enduring memory of this is Manchester Arena lighting up to their support set for Steps in 2017. Brilliant performers.
A Christmas version on Christmas Eve! Aw…
Old Popjustice Forum says:
More like 22 years now - gulp.
Which Sugababes B-side was that?!
:format(webp):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-351410-1484843745-2388.jpeg.jpg)
he/him
A special message from 1/5 of our winners:
What a legend! Disclaimer: I ridiculously thought this rate would be completed by August 2021 *ahem* Sorry to Michelle’s promo of the summer gigs but I’m sure they were amazing! *ahem x2*
ANYWAY
Yes Jessica - the TOP SPOT sigh
Altogether now…
What a legend! Disclaimer: I ridiculously thought this rate would be completed by August 2021 *ahem* Sorry to Michelle’s promo of the summer gigs but I’m sure they were amazing! *ahem x2*
ANYWAY
Yes Jessica - the TOP SPOT sigh
Altogether now…
“SEXY
Everything about you so sexy”
Everything about you so sexy”
#1
Liberty X - ‘Just A Little’
Average score: 9.636
High scorers: @Untouchable Ace (11) @Mvnl @Hudweiser @Sprockrooster @Conan @saviodxl @j267 @idratherjack @berserkboi @Lost In Japan. @MilesAngel @DJHazey @AcerBenII @unnameable @Markus1981 @Remorque @Ezz @Doodvid (17 x 10)
Low scorers: @iheartpoptarts @Wezzo (2 x 7) @Ana Raquel (8) @Hybridcookie (9)
Notable achievements:
#1 single in the UK in 2002, and hit the Top 5 in countries across the world including Australia, Ireland, Netherlands, and New Zealand
Platinum-selling in the UK and 9th best selling song of 2002
Won Best British Single at the BRIT Awards 2003
Over 80% of the voters in this rate scored it a 10 or higher!
Was it ever really in any doubt?
Slick, sexy, sultry, any other hyperbolic adjective beginning with ‘S’ - ‘Just A Little’ stands today, just as it did two decades ago, as an outright classic in its field - a mega-bop that blows the competition out of the water and inspired a generation of homosexual men (as if we ever needed the excuse) to writhe on provincial nightclub dancefloors with imaginary canes and fantasise we’re being unzipped from latex catsuits…
This enormous tune was the shot in the arm Liberty X needed after a trio of blows: the disappointing performance of ‘Doin’ It’ (we’ll see that one in the sequel rate!), a delayed debut album with emergency songs shipped in, and losing a public legal battle over their name - and they’d only been formed 12 months earlier. It really was make or break time - and ‘Just A Little’ with its instant pop classic status sealed the deal.
Some songs are very much ‘of their age’ (we’ve seen several in this rate - no names) but somehow, despite its obvious millennial trappings, ‘Just A Little’ simply oozes a timeless quality meaning it still manages to sound fresh and exciting twenty years since release - what witchcraft is this?
Not all pop groups have that.
This truly is a worthy winner and a magnificent #1 song to top off our journey through this amazing genre.
Now wear did I put that talc?
*stretches rubber playsuit protuberance*
Platinum-selling in the UK and 9th best selling song of 2002
Won Best British Single at the BRIT Awards 2003
Over 80% of the voters in this rate scored it a 10 or higher!
Was it ever really in any doubt?
Slick, sexy, sultry, any other hyperbolic adjective beginning with ‘S’ - ‘Just A Little’ stands today, just as it did two decades ago, as an outright classic in its field - a mega-bop that blows the competition out of the water and inspired a generation of homosexual men (as if we ever needed the excuse) to writhe on provincial nightclub dancefloors with imaginary canes and fantasise we’re being unzipped from latex catsuits…
This enormous tune was the shot in the arm Liberty X needed after a trio of blows: the disappointing performance of ‘Doin’ It’ (we’ll see that one in the sequel rate!), a delayed debut album with emergency songs shipped in, and losing a public legal battle over their name - and they’d only been formed 12 months earlier. It really was make or break time - and ‘Just A Little’ with its instant pop classic status sealed the deal.
Some songs are very much ‘of their age’ (we’ve seen several in this rate - no names) but somehow, despite its obvious millennial trappings, ‘Just A Little’ simply oozes a timeless quality meaning it still manages to sound fresh and exciting twenty years since release - what witchcraft is this?
Not all pop groups have that.
This truly is a worthy winner and a magnificent #1 song to top off our journey through this amazing genre.
Now wear did I put that talc?
*stretches rubber playsuit protuberance*
Voters say:
@DJHazey 10
Grade A seduction bop right here, my goodness! This is like taking Destiny’s Child and having Justin Timberlake drop by to add additional flair.
@Ezz 10
The only band in this rate to have true sex appeal? (POOR BROTHERHOOD OF MAN - Doodvid) And Kelli's "Compliment" is divine.
@Doodvid 10
Deserves to be heard way more than it is these days. Was a highlight watching Liberty X perform this again so well during ‘The Big Reunion’ - a proper moment.
@berserkboi 10
An absolute classic! I always wish I listened to it more whenever I return to it!
@iheartpoptarts 7
They’re quality and all but almost not cheesy enough for what I want out of this rate.
ALMIGHTY REMIX KLAXON!
Old Popjustice Forum says:
Not very much nice about Liberty X actually! It was all them vs Hear’say, or derogatory comments about the girls’ looks/clothing, and basically moaning that they weren’t as good as they once were. (A pre-cursor to the current *insert appropriate band name here* thread perhaps?)
she/her
What an Iconic Top 2 and a fantastic winner.
So glad 'Boom Boom Boom Boom' made it this far, totally deserving of its #2 placement. Don't forget that Benny and Bjorn are also credited as writers, so they've had a very successful rate. I'm off to Hereford.
'Just A Little' is an ICONIC winner. 80% of voters giving it top marks is phenomenal. I look forward to supporting it in the next winners rate. Michelle seemed genuinely pleased, and what a coup to have her record a video. Brava!
So glad 'Boom Boom Boom Boom' made it this far, totally deserving of its #2 placement. Don't forget that Benny and Bjorn are also credited as writers, so they've had a very successful rate. I'm off to Hereford.
'Just A Little' is an ICONIC winner. 80% of voters giving it top marks is phenomenal. I look forward to supporting it in the next winners rate. Michelle seemed genuinely pleased, and what a coup to have her record a video. Brava!
Here's my Top 10. Numbers 2 and 3 switch depending on my mood.
1 Infernal - From Paris To Berlin
2 Liberty X - Just A Little
3 Vengaboys - Boom Boom Boom Boom
4 Aqua - Turn Back Time
5 S Club 8 - Sundown
6 Aqua - Doctor Jones
7 Deuce - Call It Love
8 Scooch - More Than I Needed To Know
9 Hear'Say - The Way To Your Love
10 Same Difference - Souled Out (my biggest discovery)
1 Infernal - From Paris To Berlin
2 Liberty X - Just A Little
3 Vengaboys - Boom Boom Boom Boom
4 Aqua - Turn Back Time
5 S Club 8 - Sundown
6 Aqua - Doctor Jones
7 Deuce - Call It Love
8 Scooch - More Than I Needed To Know
9 Hear'Say - The Way To Your Love
10 Same Difference - Souled Out (my biggest discovery)
He/Him
There have been tough times...
There have been emotional times....
But overwhelmingly, this has been a most fabulous experience full of amazing bops!
Thank you to everyone who voted, sent in commentary and posted along the way! You certainly had taste picking that top 5, what a variety of artists and time periods. Just a Little was such a worthy winner. I've really enjoyed the chance to be a little bit creative when writing reveals, and hopefully have some ideas for future rates too.
The biggest thanks go to the amazing @Doodvid for letting me share in this wonderful trip through one of my favourite genres and time periods, it's been such a blast! As you mentioned, we've shared laughs, loads of bops and successfully navigated this bizarre year:
And who else would have appreciated a drunken 3am message about hearing H and Claire whilst in the queue of a questionable gay nitespot?!? The support during the early part of the rate when I really didn't have a clue what I was doing (I can now post gifs, hoorah!) was immense, as well as the amazing nuggets of knowledge which enhanced many a reveal post and of course the gifs for each reveal!
There have been emotional times....
But overwhelmingly, this has been a most fabulous experience full of amazing bops!
Thank you to everyone who voted, sent in commentary and posted along the way! You certainly had taste picking that top 5, what a variety of artists and time periods. Just a Little was such a worthy winner. I've really enjoyed the chance to be a little bit creative when writing reveals, and hopefully have some ideas for future rates too.
The biggest thanks go to the amazing @Doodvid for letting me share in this wonderful trip through one of my favourite genres and time periods, it's been such a blast! As you mentioned, we've shared laughs, loads of bops and successfully navigated this bizarre year:
And who else would have appreciated a drunken 3am message about hearing H and Claire whilst in the queue of a questionable gay nitespot?!? The support during the early part of the rate when I really didn't have a clue what I was doing (I can now post gifs, hoorah!) was immense, as well as the amazing nuggets of knowledge which enhanced many a reveal post and of course the gifs for each reveal!
she/her
Awwwwww so close. Good winner, nonetheless.
Thank you you two for the amazing rate! And merry Christmas!
Thank you you two for the amazing rate! And merry Christmas!
he/him
For those of you who celebrate, Happy Christmas!
Here’s a little gift - ‘The Gift Of Christmas’ remixes in fact (the receipt has long since been burnt so no it can’t be returned)
:format(webp):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1203511-1536062746-4148.jpeg.jpg)
1995 saw a plethora of popstars combine for this charity release including our rate “superstars” Deuce, Dannii Minogue, East 17, Boyzone, MN8, Michelle Gayle, and a pre-famous Backstreet Boys among many others. A special mix CD & vinyl were released too featuring big pop-dance remixers under the name ‘Childliner DJ’s’ and here are those mixes, not before shared on YouTube (in my opinion, only the first 3 listed are worth listening to):
Motiv 8
Loveland
Matt Darey
Beatmasters
Wand
Enjoy!
Here’s a little gift - ‘The Gift Of Christmas’ remixes in fact (the receipt has long since been burnt so no it can’t be returned)
1995 saw a plethora of popstars combine for this charity release including our rate “superstars” Deuce, Dannii Minogue, East 17, Boyzone, MN8, Michelle Gayle, and a pre-famous Backstreet Boys among many others. A special mix CD & vinyl were released too featuring big pop-dance remixers under the name ‘Childliner DJ’s’ and here are those mixes, not before shared on YouTube (in my opinion, only the first 3 listed are worth listening to):
Motiv 8
Loveland
Matt Darey
Beatmasters
Wand
Enjoy!
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1051146-1315756583.jpeg.jpg)
So how much does it cost to hire Michelle Heaton on Cameo or whichever platform you used?