Far from being a difficult second single, ‘Say You’ll Be There’ delivered on the Spice Girls’ hype and earned them another huge hit.
Aqua – Barbie Girl
Aqua made their breakthrough in 1997 when ‘Barbie Girl’ earned them a place on the all-time best-sellers list in the UK…as well as a hefty lawsuit from Mattel.
Vengaboys – Cheekah Bow Wow (That Computer Song)
‘Cheekah Bow Wow (That Computer Song)’ saw a new – animated – member join the Vengaboys to help promote a fourth single from ‘The Platinum Album’
Aly & AJ – Potential Breakup Song
Though Aly & AJ weren’t among the highest-profile acts on Hollywood Records, ‘Potential Breakup Song’ became one of the label’s earliest top 20 hits in America.
Michelle Branch – Breathe
‘Breathe’ wasn’t released in the UK when Michelle Branch’s second album was abandoned after one single. But it did, at least, become a modest hit in America.
a1 – Same Old Brand New You
After scoring their first #1 single, a1’s sights were set on pop music’s A-list, and ‘Same Old Brand New You’ proved that’s precisely where they deserved to be.
Britney Spears – Gimme More
Britney Spears took creative control on her fifth album, and with three words, the lead single made a now-iconic statement of defiance: “It’s Britney, bitch”
Steps – Tragedy
‘Tragedy’ might’ve been released as a double-A side single, but Steps’ inspired cover of a Bee Gees classic became bigger than anyone predicted.
Ultra – The Right Time
Ultra had yet to enter the top ten when they released their third single. So, if there were a moment to make a breakthrough, this would’ve been the right time.
Alesha Dixon – Lipstick
Alesha Dixon was fired up to release her debut single in 2006, but would ‘Lipstick’ deliver on her obvious potential as a solo artist?
Shayne Ward – That’s My Goal
‘That’s My Goal’ isn’t a particularly unique song, but it does have the redeeming quality of being one of the few X Factor winners’ singles not to be a cover.
Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson – The Best Things In Life Are Free
‘The Best Things In Life Are Free’ brought Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson together for a soundtrack single that’s become enduringly popular in its own right.