Brandon Fehr played David Borenaz's brother in Bones.
The UK #2’s of the 2000’s Rate: COMPLETE!
- Thread starter WowWowWowWow
- Start date
Brandon Fehr played David Borenaz's brother in Bones.
Y'all did these classics so dirty! I would say I wish I had voted but seeing where these ended up it looks like it wouldn't have made much of a difference.
he/him
Today we eliminate three more songs (the last day of triple eliminations). So let the carnage begin.
*ducks*
Average: 7.997
High Score: 11 x 1 (@Conan), 10 x 13 (@2014, @dancingwithmyself, @Hudweiser, @Island, @KingBruno, @londonrain, @phily693, @Remorque, @Robert, @Robsolete, @Rogue, @SuperNerd, @WowWowWowWow)
Low Score: 1 x 1 (@kermit_the_frog)
Second Place Predictor: 1 (@Conan)
As we approach the finish line, we are finally reaching the songs that you predicted would come in second place. Unfortunately, @Conan is the first person to lose out on the chance for a bonus 11 in the second part of the rate. But seeing as this song won the Steps singles rate and came in 2nd place in the Steps complete discography rate on the Popjustice forum, it’s perfectly understandable why one would think it would do well here too!
“It’s The Way You Make Me Feel” was Steps’ 12th single and their 10th consecutive top 5 hit. It was also their first single not to be produced by Pete Waterman. Instead they took their inspiration from the Cheiron studios of Stockholm and worked with David Kreuger and Jörgen Elofsson instead.
NME wrote: “You have to hand it to Steps for remaining on top of their gleaming-toothed game. After all this time, there’s not a sign that endlessly successful hardcore strikes on the Top Five are in any way slackening the pace of this five-headed, smooth-cheeked ADD-pop automaton…‘It’s The Way You Make Me Feel’, then, is typically efficient, all over before it’s registered, and features the boys singing in comedy Britney-croak voices. Ker-ching!”
After nine top 5 singles in a row, I’m sure Team Steps was very surprised to discover that “It’s The Way You Made Me Feel” debuted at… #72?? Wait, what? Due to a phenomenon that doesn’t necessarily exist anymore, some shops accidentally put the single out for sale, in spite of the label asking them to hold onto the discs until release date. Although only 980 copies made their way into early birds’ hands, that was enough to make for an official debut. A spokesman for Steps said: “Stocks were sent out before Christmas because of the logistics of getting them out over the holiday period. What some hungover staff have done is looked through their stockrooms and thought: ‘There are some Steps singles. We’d better put these on display.’ All it means is that a few people have spent their Christmas vouchers early. It’s obviously going to be quite a high riser.” And indeed, in week 2, it bounced up to #2.
@berserkboi – 9.9 – Wonderful!
@phily693 – 10 – Total cheese but a brilliant pop chorus. One of their finest!
@Rei Ayanami – 8 – This may sound very American of me, but it seems like Steps was sort of like S Club 7 but with better songs. The blonde female’s singing is a touch whiny but the chorus is very catchy.
@Untouchable Ace – 7.25 – Imitation Britney with a few extra back–up vocals thrown in (The way thatcha make mah feel)
@Blond – 2 – Oh god, this is going to win the rate isn’t it? The nasal, post–Britney style of singing is so annoying in this song.
@iheartpoptarts – 8.5 – I don’t stan this as hard as everyone who stans Steps does but hey.
@Rogue – 10 – One of those moments when the song and music video is a perfect combination. An extra point for Lisa’s coordinating blue streak.
@Sprockrooster – 9 – An undeniable pop banger.
@Mike – 6.5 – One of their best.
@DJHazey – 7.5 – Basically the same score I gave it in the Steps rate. I...just find it a bit overrated compared to their best songs. There’s nothing really wrong with it persay except maybe when the chorus is repeated by H or Lee, which has always sounded off to my ears.
@Empty Shoebox – 7 – This isn’t a bad Steps single, it’s just that I never really find myself wanting to listen to it.
@KingBruno – 10 – The sing–song lyrics set up the typical Steps feel, which is exactly what we need from them.
@Sally_Harper – 9 – This is such a sweet song.
#14
Steps – “It’s The Way You Make Me Feel”
Peaked at #2 on: 13/01/01
Held off from #1 by: Rui da Silva featuring Cassandra – “Touch Me” (sorry Steps, but this is also a B.O.P.!!!!!)
*ducks*
Average: 7.997
High Score: 11 x 1 (@Conan), 10 x 13 (@2014, @dancingwithmyself, @Hudweiser, @Island, @KingBruno, @londonrain, @phily693, @Remorque, @Robert, @Robsolete, @Rogue, @SuperNerd, @WowWowWowWow)
Low Score: 1 x 1 (@kermit_the_frog)
Second Place Predictor: 1 (@Conan)
As we approach the finish line, we are finally reaching the songs that you predicted would come in second place. Unfortunately, @Conan is the first person to lose out on the chance for a bonus 11 in the second part of the rate. But seeing as this song won the Steps singles rate and came in 2nd place in the Steps complete discography rate on the Popjustice forum, it’s perfectly understandable why one would think it would do well here too!
“It’s The Way You Make Me Feel” was Steps’ 12th single and their 10th consecutive top 5 hit. It was also their first single not to be produced by Pete Waterman. Instead they took their inspiration from the Cheiron studios of Stockholm and worked with David Kreuger and Jörgen Elofsson instead.
NME wrote: “You have to hand it to Steps for remaining on top of their gleaming-toothed game. After all this time, there’s not a sign that endlessly successful hardcore strikes on the Top Five are in any way slackening the pace of this five-headed, smooth-cheeked ADD-pop automaton…‘It’s The Way You Make Me Feel’, then, is typically efficient, all over before it’s registered, and features the boys singing in comedy Britney-croak voices. Ker-ching!”
After nine top 5 singles in a row, I’m sure Team Steps was very surprised to discover that “It’s The Way You Made Me Feel” debuted at… #72?? Wait, what? Due to a phenomenon that doesn’t necessarily exist anymore, some shops accidentally put the single out for sale, in spite of the label asking them to hold onto the discs until release date. Although only 980 copies made their way into early birds’ hands, that was enough to make for an official debut. A spokesman for Steps said: “Stocks were sent out before Christmas because of the logistics of getting them out over the holiday period. What some hungover staff have done is looked through their stockrooms and thought: ‘There are some Steps singles. We’d better put these on display.’ All it means is that a few people have spent their Christmas vouchers early. It’s obviously going to be quite a high riser.” And indeed, in week 2, it bounced up to #2.
@berserkboi – 9.9 – Wonderful!
@phily693 – 10 – Total cheese but a brilliant pop chorus. One of their finest!
@Rei Ayanami – 8 – This may sound very American of me, but it seems like Steps was sort of like S Club 7 but with better songs. The blonde female’s singing is a touch whiny but the chorus is very catchy.
@Untouchable Ace – 7.25 – Imitation Britney with a few extra back–up vocals thrown in (The way thatcha make mah feel)
@Blond – 2 – Oh god, this is going to win the rate isn’t it? The nasal, post–Britney style of singing is so annoying in this song.
@iheartpoptarts – 8.5 – I don’t stan this as hard as everyone who stans Steps does but hey.
@Rogue – 10 – One of those moments when the song and music video is a perfect combination. An extra point for Lisa’s coordinating blue streak.
@Sprockrooster – 9 – An undeniable pop banger.
@Mike – 6.5 – One of their best.
@DJHazey – 7.5 – Basically the same score I gave it in the Steps rate. I...just find it a bit overrated compared to their best songs. There’s nothing really wrong with it persay except maybe when the chorus is repeated by H or Lee, which has always sounded off to my ears.
@Empty Shoebox – 7 – This isn’t a bad Steps single, it’s just that I never really find myself wanting to listen to it.
@KingBruno – 10 – The sing–song lyrics set up the typical Steps feel, which is exactly what we need from them.
@Sally_Harper – 9 – This is such a sweet song.
#14
Steps – “It’s The Way You Make Me Feel”
Peaked at #2 on: 13/01/01
Held off from #1 by: Rui da Silva featuring Cassandra – “Touch Me” (sorry Steps, but this is also a B.O.P.!!!!!)
Last edited:
he/him
I knew that one was going to sting. Each of these eliminations will hurt. We are so close to revealing our winner!
And next to leave, with just 0.003 points more than Steps...............
Oh! The damage is done, so I guess he be leaving.
Average: 8
High Score: 11 x 2 (@KingBruno, @PushyBakerFriend), 10 x 14 (@Aester, @berserkboi, @Blond, @iheartpoptarts, @kermit_the_frog, @londonrain, @Mike, @phily693, @Remorque, @Riiiiiiiii, @soratami, @SuperNerd, @Untouchable Ace, @WowWowWowWow)
Low Score: 0 x 2 (@Robsolete, @Sally_Harper)
We’ve arrived at our last song to earn a 0. Well, in this case, two 0’s. From here on out, no more zeroes!
Speaking of zeroes, as I reviewed the rate scores once voting closed, I loved how the majority of the songs had crazy averages out to 9 decimal places, and then Justin had a straight up 8.000000000 average. Fun!
Potentially one of the worst-kept non-secrets in musical history, it took 9 years for someone to officially admit that “Cry Me A River” was written about Britney Spears. The Huffington Post reported on an episode of “The E! True Hollywood Story” focused on Timbaland: “Timberlake has always denied the claims, but now his producer pal, Timbaland, has confirmed the Toxic hitmaker was the inspiration for the track as it was made following a heated phone conversation between the young lovers. Timbaland: ‘He went to a concert and saw Britney, and Britney talked about him in the show and he was pissed.’ Timberlake, who stops short of mentioning Spears by name, explained: ‘I was on a phone call that was not the most enjoyable phone call. I walked into the studio and he (Timbaland) could tell I was visibly angry.’ The singer poured out his feelings in the song, and the emotion showed…”
The music video’s director, Francis Lawrence, told Dazed: “Doing music videos I had a library of ideas and (this one) I had tried to sell to other people before and it had never worked, because they were always afraid of being portrayed in a negative light. The only person I can remember that I (adapted) it for – and obviously, it was a different approach – was Faith Hill. Anyway I decided to take my shot with Justin, because he seemed to be at a point where he was changing up his image and sound and it seemed to really fit the themes of the song. I was convinced that everyone from the label to Justin to the label would say no fucking way, but they went for it, full-on.”
In October 2012, NME called “Cry Me A River” “one of the greatest songs of the 21st century. I know we’re only twelve years in but I don’t say this lightly…It’s a pop symphony, nay manifesto for new male solo artists. Has anyone bettered it since? Well, go… tell me WHO.” Moreover, in 2013, The Guardian called it “the ultimate break-up record.” And last year, for her Oscar-nominated film Lady Bird, writer/director Greta Gerwig wrote a personal letter to Justin Timberlake to seek his permission to use “Cry Me A River” in the movie:
@əʊæ – 5 – This whiney child, I swear.
@Sprockrooster – 4 – Be gone high pitched male vocals.
@iheartpoptarts – 10 – Still like him, don’t care, y’all can rage.
@Mike – 10 – Possibly Timbaland’s best production that isn’t by Missy or Aaliyah.
@Untouchable Ace – 10 – His first solo superstar moment, it should have been his debut.
@Empty Shoebox – 1 – Another I think that has suffered from overexposure. Still, that Timbaland section is dreadful.
@Rei Ayanami – 6 – I know this is one of his signature hits, but I just don’t care for it. I feel like the production shines more than the singer.
@phily693 – 10 – What a moment for him! Insane production and that chorus! Can’t believe it didn’t get to #1, that’s so shocking.
@berserkboi – 10 – No less than a total 10!
@Sally_Harper – 0 – HE’S SO IRRITATING.
@Ironheade – 9 – OK, so the lyrics are a little too sour and nasty for my taste. But you know what? I don’t care, because on the production front, Timbaland DID THAT, and proves just why him and Justin were such an unbeatable combination for a while. It’s a big pile–up of stuff – Gregorian chant, strings, clavinets, synths, Arabian elements – and yet the melody remains graceful and sleek and perfectly catchy, and the whole thing laden with bitterly dark atmosphere that is just on point in every single way; I might even call it “epic”. Even the beatboxing fits in beautifully. Love all of it.
@Blond – 10 – Justin gets a lot of crap from y’all, and some of it is deserved. However, even the biggest Britney stan should be able to see that this is a great song. Timbaland’s production is stellar, the chorus is iconic and Justin’s vocals are fantastic. One of my favourite singles of the 00’s.
@PushyBakerFriend – 11 – Brilliant production and melody with Justin and Timbaland at the top of their games. It’s dramatic without being too forced, anguished without being overwrought, vindictive without being evil.
@KingBruno – 11 – “Cry Me a River” is such a mischievous, ruthless pop song on paper. But the moment there comes a musical background, it instantly evolves into a melodramatic piece. There was an undeniable sly plan behind its accusing theme, but once you ignore the bait you’re left with an actual amazing pop song. Although the lyrical content forms the base for its compelling nature, the vehement musical arrangement boosts the song to a whole other level. Having said that, transferring all the praise to the ancillary producer ain’t that justified either: it’s all about the imperial Timberlake–Timbaland connection in a whole. Timbaland provides a rich instrumentation that congregate to an elegant and atypical melody. But there’s more: a crucial aspect of the beat is an atypical dissonance that’s formed by the wave synth clashing with the clavinet. Vocal–wise Justin unexpectedly matches in perfectly, in which his standard tenor belting is tempered with a passionate falsetto and baritone rasp. While Justin provides the essential pop edge, the song’s core is all based on Timbaland’s creative musicianship. Creativity is possibly the most essential ingredient for a good pop song to me. “Cry Me a River” took that whole criteria to another level because, frankly, it’s more or less bizarre. Justin sounds like a prick constantly throughout, yes, but that’s not much of a reason for the actual music to become of secondary importance.
#13
Justin Timberlake – “Cry Me A River”
Peaked at #2 on: 15/02/03
Held off from #1 by: t.A.T.u. – “All The Things She Said”
And next to leave, with just 0.003 points more than Steps...............
Oh! The damage is done, so I guess he be leaving.
Average: 8
High Score: 11 x 2 (@KingBruno, @PushyBakerFriend), 10 x 14 (@Aester, @berserkboi, @Blond, @iheartpoptarts, @kermit_the_frog, @londonrain, @Mike, @phily693, @Remorque, @Riiiiiiiii, @soratami, @SuperNerd, @Untouchable Ace, @WowWowWowWow)
Low Score: 0 x 2 (@Robsolete, @Sally_Harper)
We’ve arrived at our last song to earn a 0. Well, in this case, two 0’s. From here on out, no more zeroes!
Speaking of zeroes, as I reviewed the rate scores once voting closed, I loved how the majority of the songs had crazy averages out to 9 decimal places, and then Justin had a straight up 8.000000000 average. Fun!
Potentially one of the worst-kept non-secrets in musical history, it took 9 years for someone to officially admit that “Cry Me A River” was written about Britney Spears. The Huffington Post reported on an episode of “The E! True Hollywood Story” focused on Timbaland: “Timberlake has always denied the claims, but now his producer pal, Timbaland, has confirmed the Toxic hitmaker was the inspiration for the track as it was made following a heated phone conversation between the young lovers. Timbaland: ‘He went to a concert and saw Britney, and Britney talked about him in the show and he was pissed.’ Timberlake, who stops short of mentioning Spears by name, explained: ‘I was on a phone call that was not the most enjoyable phone call. I walked into the studio and he (Timbaland) could tell I was visibly angry.’ The singer poured out his feelings in the song, and the emotion showed…”
The music video’s director, Francis Lawrence, told Dazed: “Doing music videos I had a library of ideas and (this one) I had tried to sell to other people before and it had never worked, because they were always afraid of being portrayed in a negative light. The only person I can remember that I (adapted) it for – and obviously, it was a different approach – was Faith Hill. Anyway I decided to take my shot with Justin, because he seemed to be at a point where he was changing up his image and sound and it seemed to really fit the themes of the song. I was convinced that everyone from the label to Justin to the label would say no fucking way, but they went for it, full-on.”
In October 2012, NME called “Cry Me A River” “one of the greatest songs of the 21st century. I know we’re only twelve years in but I don’t say this lightly…It’s a pop symphony, nay manifesto for new male solo artists. Has anyone bettered it since? Well, go… tell me WHO.” Moreover, in 2013, The Guardian called it “the ultimate break-up record.” And last year, for her Oscar-nominated film Lady Bird, writer/director Greta Gerwig wrote a personal letter to Justin Timberlake to seek his permission to use “Cry Me A River” in the movie:
@əʊæ – 5 – This whiney child, I swear.
@Sprockrooster – 4 – Be gone high pitched male vocals.
@iheartpoptarts – 10 – Still like him, don’t care, y’all can rage.
@Mike – 10 – Possibly Timbaland’s best production that isn’t by Missy or Aaliyah.
@Untouchable Ace – 10 – His first solo superstar moment, it should have been his debut.
@Empty Shoebox – 1 – Another I think that has suffered from overexposure. Still, that Timbaland section is dreadful.
@Rei Ayanami – 6 – I know this is one of his signature hits, but I just don’t care for it. I feel like the production shines more than the singer.
@phily693 – 10 – What a moment for him! Insane production and that chorus! Can’t believe it didn’t get to #1, that’s so shocking.
@berserkboi – 10 – No less than a total 10!
@Sally_Harper – 0 – HE’S SO IRRITATING.
@Ironheade – 9 – OK, so the lyrics are a little too sour and nasty for my taste. But you know what? I don’t care, because on the production front, Timbaland DID THAT, and proves just why him and Justin were such an unbeatable combination for a while. It’s a big pile–up of stuff – Gregorian chant, strings, clavinets, synths, Arabian elements – and yet the melody remains graceful and sleek and perfectly catchy, and the whole thing laden with bitterly dark atmosphere that is just on point in every single way; I might even call it “epic”. Even the beatboxing fits in beautifully. Love all of it.
@Blond – 10 – Justin gets a lot of crap from y’all, and some of it is deserved. However, even the biggest Britney stan should be able to see that this is a great song. Timbaland’s production is stellar, the chorus is iconic and Justin’s vocals are fantastic. One of my favourite singles of the 00’s.
@PushyBakerFriend – 11 – Brilliant production and melody with Justin and Timbaland at the top of their games. It’s dramatic without being too forced, anguished without being overwrought, vindictive without being evil.
@KingBruno – 11 – “Cry Me a River” is such a mischievous, ruthless pop song on paper. But the moment there comes a musical background, it instantly evolves into a melodramatic piece. There was an undeniable sly plan behind its accusing theme, but once you ignore the bait you’re left with an actual amazing pop song. Although the lyrical content forms the base for its compelling nature, the vehement musical arrangement boosts the song to a whole other level. Having said that, transferring all the praise to the ancillary producer ain’t that justified either: it’s all about the imperial Timberlake–Timbaland connection in a whole. Timbaland provides a rich instrumentation that congregate to an elegant and atypical melody. But there’s more: a crucial aspect of the beat is an atypical dissonance that’s formed by the wave synth clashing with the clavinet. Vocal–wise Justin unexpectedly matches in perfectly, in which his standard tenor belting is tempered with a passionate falsetto and baritone rasp. While Justin provides the essential pop edge, the song’s core is all based on Timbaland’s creative musicianship. Creativity is possibly the most essential ingredient for a good pop song to me. “Cry Me a River” took that whole criteria to another level because, frankly, it’s more or less bizarre. Justin sounds like a prick constantly throughout, yes, but that’s not much of a reason for the actual music to become of secondary importance.
#13
Justin Timberlake – “Cry Me A River”
Peaked at #2 on: 15/02/03
Held off from #1 by: t.A.T.u. – “All The Things She Said”
he/him
Honestly, I hate having to do this elimination more than I hated eliminating my own 11.
My intentions were good, I wish I could keep this song in for longer.
Average: 8.036
High Score: 11 x 4 (@Blond, @Ironheade, @kermit_the_frog, @Mike), 10 x 7 (@əʊæ, @berserkboi, @japanbonustrack, @londonrain, @soratami, @Sprockrooster, @WowWowWowWow)
Low Score: 2 x 2 (@iheartpoptarts, @Sally_Harper)
Of all the rate results that brought me joy, I have to say that the performance of “Ms. Jackson” definitely made me the most joyous. It was a very consistent performer in your scores, and although it was never at the top of the pack, it was never anywhere near the bottom either. In fact, the four 11’s that “Ms. Jackson” received was the highest amount of 11’s for any one of the 105 songs on offer. A true Popjustice if there ever was one for this rate.
In case you are not up on your rap history, “Ms. Jackson” was inspired by Andre 3000’s relationship with Erykah Badu. They began dating in 1995 and Erykah gave birth to their son Seven in November 1997. However, Andre and Erykah broke up in 1999, and “Ms. Jackson” was Andre’s apology to Seven’s grandmother for the relationship not working out.
While it peaked at #2 in the UK, “Ms. Jackson” went to the top of the charts in the USA, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden among others. Rolling Stone included it at #55 on its list of the best songs of the 2000s, calling it “the funniest, catchiest thing [Outkast] ever did. Over a head-snapping beat that quotes Wagner’s wedding march, Dre and Big Boi rap hyper-fluidly about cheating girlfriends and custody wars, delivering a chorus that's both P-Funk and totally pop. Scores of white sorority girls had no choice but to sing along.” It would go on to win the Grammy for Best Rap Performance Duo/Group in 2001, while Stankonia picked up Best Rap Album.
In news that has to warm even the cockles of the most miserable hearts (i.e. mine), Erykah and Andre have stayed on good terms over the years and even collaborated on a song for Erykah’s 2015 mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone. And they often reunite to celebrate the major accomplishments in Seven’s life. After all, in 2001, Andre told the world: “…know that everything’s cool / And yes I will be present for the first day of school, and graduation…”
But how did the actual Ms. Jackson and her daughter feel about it all? Well, first of all, she’s actually Ms. Wright (Ms. Kolleen Maria Wright, that is). And ever since Seven turned 18, it seems like Erykah and her mother have been much more to discussing the song.
Erykah appeared on the Rap Radar podcast: “It hit kind of a sore spot. I didn’t wanna hear that, especially when I heard Big Boi’s verse. When I heard Andre’s verse, I felt very good because his verse was really, really inspiring. He just said how he felt, and it was his honest feelings. And I always respected that and listened to what he felt and appreciated it.” As for how her mother felt? “Baby, she bought herself a ‘Ms. Jackson’ license plate. She had the mug, she had the ink pen, she had the headband, everything. That’s who loved it.”
OkayPlayer asked and received Erykah’s permission to interview Ms. Wright via telephone about “Ms. Jackson.”
On hearing the song for the first time: I didn’t know what to think. I had to listen to it over and over because first I had to figure out if I was being insulted–I had to figure out what vein it was in! I didn’t know, because–with a lot of music during that time–I didn’t know where it was coming from, because that wasn’t my genre of music. After I listened to it and listened to it I said, Oh, this might not be too bad. This might be harmless; this might be apologetic, this may be okay. So when I felt that it wasn’t being an insult or disrespectful, then I kind of settled into it.
On learning that “Ms. Jackson” won a Grammy: I thought that it should, especially if it was about me I thought that it should [laughs] . No, I’m just joking. Well first of all let’s clear the air. Let’s get this out of the way: I totally adore Andre as a person. As a person he is a great and sensitive and quietly-spirited individual. Now let’s get that out of the way. And now since I know him a little bit, I mean since I know him personally, I know that that is altogether true. I only wanted the best because it comes through his music, it comes through whatever he does. He is genuinely a great guy and for all genuinely great guys or gals or anybody who are good people I want them to do well and I want them to excel and I want them to have the best. So since it was Andre and since I knew him, I was thrilled that he got the Grammy because he certainly deserved it.
“The Real Ms. Jackson” aka Ms. Kolleen Maria Wright:
We’ll start with the people who were not for real, and work our way up to the people who were for real.
@iheartpoptarts – 2 – I got so tired of this. *sigh*
@Sally_Harper – 2 – Not my thing.
@Empty Shoebox – 3 – That falsetto bit in the chorus really annoys me, and Big Boi’s diction is terrible.
@berserkboi – 10 – My first experience of Outkast and they’d continue to impress
@DJHazey – 8.5 – Iconic. Though I’d definitely rate “Hey Ma” higher.
@Rei Ayanami – 8 – Very unique song. There hasn’t been like it since. Thank you Outkast for bringing us Andre 3000.
@phily693 – 9 – That chorus never fails to get a party going.
@əʊæ – 10 – Even my father’s overplaying couldn’t have ruined it for me.
@Sprockrooster – 10 – Very close to getting the 11 (again close after the US #1, but sadly always something better is here). Brilliant video and this song made me stan them forever basically.
@Hudweiser – 8.5 – Dorky story. A girl I sat next to in a call centre back then provided a quote for a Ms Jackson, who clearly told us where to go. The girl ended the call by singing to her: “I’m sorry Ms Jackson, we are too dear, never meant to make your premiums high, I apologise a million times.”
@londonrain – 10 – One of my favourite rap songs ever.
@Blond – 11 – I love my hip hop and Andre 3000 would rank very highly in my list of best rappers ever. I love how candid this song is and it doesn’t sound like anything else, which is the best thing about Outkast’s music. It’s such an iconic song that manages to be commercial without feeling like a sell-out single.
@Mike – 11 – Easy 11 for me, although I suspect I’ll be the first to lose mine. A classic.
@Ironheade – 11 – Forever. Forever ever? Forever EVER.
#12
Outkast – “Ms. Jackson”
Peaked at #2 on: 03/03/01
Held off from #1 by: Atomic Kitten – “Whole Again”
My intentions were good, I wish I could keep this song in for longer.
Average: 8.036
High Score: 11 x 4 (@Blond, @Ironheade, @kermit_the_frog, @Mike), 10 x 7 (@əʊæ, @berserkboi, @japanbonustrack, @londonrain, @soratami, @Sprockrooster, @WowWowWowWow)
Low Score: 2 x 2 (@iheartpoptarts, @Sally_Harper)
Of all the rate results that brought me joy, I have to say that the performance of “Ms. Jackson” definitely made me the most joyous. It was a very consistent performer in your scores, and although it was never at the top of the pack, it was never anywhere near the bottom either. In fact, the four 11’s that “Ms. Jackson” received was the highest amount of 11’s for any one of the 105 songs on offer. A true Popjustice if there ever was one for this rate.
In case you are not up on your rap history, “Ms. Jackson” was inspired by Andre 3000’s relationship with Erykah Badu. They began dating in 1995 and Erykah gave birth to their son Seven in November 1997. However, Andre and Erykah broke up in 1999, and “Ms. Jackson” was Andre’s apology to Seven’s grandmother for the relationship not working out.
While it peaked at #2 in the UK, “Ms. Jackson” went to the top of the charts in the USA, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden among others. Rolling Stone included it at #55 on its list of the best songs of the 2000s, calling it “the funniest, catchiest thing [Outkast] ever did. Over a head-snapping beat that quotes Wagner’s wedding march, Dre and Big Boi rap hyper-fluidly about cheating girlfriends and custody wars, delivering a chorus that's both P-Funk and totally pop. Scores of white sorority girls had no choice but to sing along.” It would go on to win the Grammy for Best Rap Performance Duo/Group in 2001, while Stankonia picked up Best Rap Album.
In news that has to warm even the cockles of the most miserable hearts (i.e. mine), Erykah and Andre have stayed on good terms over the years and even collaborated on a song for Erykah’s 2015 mixtape But You Caint Use My Phone. And they often reunite to celebrate the major accomplishments in Seven’s life. After all, in 2001, Andre told the world: “…know that everything’s cool / And yes I will be present for the first day of school, and graduation…”
But how did the actual Ms. Jackson and her daughter feel about it all? Well, first of all, she’s actually Ms. Wright (Ms. Kolleen Maria Wright, that is). And ever since Seven turned 18, it seems like Erykah and her mother have been much more to discussing the song.
Erykah appeared on the Rap Radar podcast: “It hit kind of a sore spot. I didn’t wanna hear that, especially when I heard Big Boi’s verse. When I heard Andre’s verse, I felt very good because his verse was really, really inspiring. He just said how he felt, and it was his honest feelings. And I always respected that and listened to what he felt and appreciated it.” As for how her mother felt? “Baby, she bought herself a ‘Ms. Jackson’ license plate. She had the mug, she had the ink pen, she had the headband, everything. That’s who loved it.”
OkayPlayer asked and received Erykah’s permission to interview Ms. Wright via telephone about “Ms. Jackson.”
On hearing the song for the first time: I didn’t know what to think. I had to listen to it over and over because first I had to figure out if I was being insulted–I had to figure out what vein it was in! I didn’t know, because–with a lot of music during that time–I didn’t know where it was coming from, because that wasn’t my genre of music. After I listened to it and listened to it I said, Oh, this might not be too bad. This might be harmless; this might be apologetic, this may be okay. So when I felt that it wasn’t being an insult or disrespectful, then I kind of settled into it.
On learning that “Ms. Jackson” won a Grammy: I thought that it should, especially if it was about me I thought that it should [laughs] . No, I’m just joking. Well first of all let’s clear the air. Let’s get this out of the way: I totally adore Andre as a person. As a person he is a great and sensitive and quietly-spirited individual. Now let’s get that out of the way. And now since I know him a little bit, I mean since I know him personally, I know that that is altogether true. I only wanted the best because it comes through his music, it comes through whatever he does. He is genuinely a great guy and for all genuinely great guys or gals or anybody who are good people I want them to do well and I want them to excel and I want them to have the best. So since it was Andre and since I knew him, I was thrilled that he got the Grammy because he certainly deserved it.
“The Real Ms. Jackson” aka Ms. Kolleen Maria Wright:
We’ll start with the people who were not for real, and work our way up to the people who were for real.
@iheartpoptarts – 2 – I got so tired of this. *sigh*
@Sally_Harper – 2 – Not my thing.
@Empty Shoebox – 3 – That falsetto bit in the chorus really annoys me, and Big Boi’s diction is terrible.
@berserkboi – 10 – My first experience of Outkast and they’d continue to impress
@DJHazey – 8.5 – Iconic. Though I’d definitely rate “Hey Ma” higher.
@Rei Ayanami – 8 – Very unique song. There hasn’t been like it since. Thank you Outkast for bringing us Andre 3000.
@phily693 – 9 – That chorus never fails to get a party going.
@əʊæ – 10 – Even my father’s overplaying couldn’t have ruined it for me.
@Sprockrooster – 10 – Very close to getting the 11 (again close after the US #1, but sadly always something better is here). Brilliant video and this song made me stan them forever basically.
@Hudweiser – 8.5 – Dorky story. A girl I sat next to in a call centre back then provided a quote for a Ms Jackson, who clearly told us where to go. The girl ended the call by singing to her: “I’m sorry Ms Jackson, we are too dear, never meant to make your premiums high, I apologise a million times.”
@londonrain – 10 – One of my favourite rap songs ever.
@Blond – 11 – I love my hip hop and Andre 3000 would rank very highly in my list of best rappers ever. I love how candid this song is and it doesn’t sound like anything else, which is the best thing about Outkast’s music. It’s such an iconic song that manages to be commercial without feeling like a sell-out single.
@Mike – 11 – Easy 11 for me, although I suspect I’ll be the first to lose mine. A classic.
@Ironheade – 11 – Forever. Forever ever? Forever EVER.
#12
Outkast – “Ms. Jackson”
Peaked at #2 on: 03/03/01
Held off from #1 by: Atomic Kitten – “Whole Again”
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He/Him
Great choice for an 11, you four!
Would have been my 11.
If Seven ever decides to release music, I'm here for it. Imagine having Andre 3000 and Erykah Badu as your parents; that is ludicrous levels of cool.
And if we had been rating the entire decade at once, Ms Jackson would still have got my 11. It's THAT good. There isn't an immediately obvious choice for me in part 2; it'll be between three or four songs.
And if we had been rating the entire decade at once, Ms Jackson would still have got my 11. It's THAT good. There isn't an immediately obvious choice for me in part 2; it'll be between three or four songs.
he/him
Tomorrow it's curtains for songs #11 and #10. And they share something in common. What do they share? All will be revealed..............................
#soon (@berserkboi, 2018)
#soon (@berserkboi, 2018)
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londonrain
Staff member
When will your faves use an owl in a music video as iconically as OutKast did in Ms. Jackson?
Never, that’s when.
Never, that’s when.
This is probably the one time I felt the #1 & #2 songs should've been flipped.
#13 Easily one of Steps's best songs
#12 Iconic 2003 tune but was never super keen on it. (Señorita is my fave Justified single for quite a few years now).
#11 Whenever I think of this song, I think of the owl in the video lipsynching "Foreva, eva?"
#12 Iconic 2003 tune but was never super keen on it. (Señorita is my fave Justified single for quite a few years now).
#11 Whenever I think of this song, I think of the owl in the video lipsynching "Foreva, eva?"