CRAIG'S TOP 50

January 6, 2001

COMMENTARY ON THIS WEEK'S TOP 50:

The first chart of the new year....who would have thought that when I started doing this in high school I would be still be doing this ten years later (granted, off and on for much of the 90's).  This week's chart brings us a new #1, as expected, and five debuts.  Before we get to the chart, I want to take an opp to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a fabulous 2001.  So far, so good for me!!!  

A few minutes ago, I was looking at the chart and thinking that something was missing from it.  I went to last week's chart (now in the Archives Page) and realized that it was my commentary that was missing.  Pretty bad for someone who seems to never lack words..Anyway, here it goes...

Kina steals the #1 spot with her first Top 50, "Girl from the Gutter."  This song is phenomenal!!  On New Years Eve, I went to a party in DC and the hosts converted a sitting room into a club and boy did we dance out little heinies off to this one.  The room was abuzz with "Who sings this?" and "This song is fantastic!"  A definite must for anyone who has ever been made to feel stupid, low, or inferior by another person (and I'd bet most of us have been there at least once in our lives) or for anyone who has ever made someone feel stupid, low, or inferior (and I know we've all been really huge jackasses before too!).  

Da Buzz holds moves up a healthy notch to #3 with "Let Me Love You."  For whatever reason, I keep calling this song "Let There Be Love" (I even labeled it on a cd as such).  It's a great pop tune in its original form and has an awesome remix to boot.  Look for their next chart hit in the coming weeks as it is already catching some Craig airplay now.

Lara Fabian's second top 5 hit is at #4 this week.  "I Am Who I Am" is a stand out among the anthemic (is this a word?) dance records out and about now.  This one keeps me moving...

Kristine W returns to the top 5 with her seven-week #2 hit "Stronger."  The song was reenergized a few weeks back by the ballad version, which is unavailable.  Her next single (my current #11 hit "Lovin' You") has been rumored to feature the ballad version and will be available January 16).  More about Kristine W later in the commentary...

Gabrielle's slow moving "Sunshine" picks up some steam this week and jumps three positions to #7.  "Sunshine," for those of you who think I only listen to remixed songs, is charting on its album version alone.  I think I have the remix downloaded but I haven't given it a listen yet.  I will be checking it out and it could possibly do the same for this hit as it did for 2000's top song "Rise" (currently at #32 on the chart).  

Making top 10 debuts this week is Reina's first charter, "Miss the Way."  I often find myself not being able to get this one out of my head and I have had a good response from people for which I've played it (despite Matt's rave review teehee).  Everything but the Girl returns to the top 10 with "Lullaby of Clubland."  The song sneaks from #11 to #9 this week.  Erasure reenters the top 10 with their #9 hit "Freedom."  Ever since I heard the Motiv8 remix of this song, I've been dancing around to it in my little brain.  If you're an Erasure fan, or not for that matter, this one is another deserving of a listen or two.

Fragma scores their second top 20 hit with "Everytime You Need Me" featuring Maria Rubia.   "Toca's Miracle," a #20 hit in 2000, was a great song but one that fizzled quickly.  Their second Top 50 is sizzling and should be able to keep its pace up the charts for weeks to come.  

Point gain awards:  Robbie Williams's takes third place with my AIRPLAY HIT of the week.  "Supreme" is the third Top 50 from his sophomore album (in case you haven't noticed, I don't know the title of the album and am too lazy to look it up but it's SING WHEN YOU'RE something or other).  Second place goes to this week's SALES HIT, "Runaway Lover" by Madonna.  The song makes an impressive move from #45 to #33 in its second chart week.  

The COMBO HIT award (biggest point gainer) goes to a nifty little song about the homeless.  Just when you thought Mel C had abandoned great solo music for the likes of "Holler" by Spice Girls, she returns to the chart with "If That Were Me."  It's definitely a song to make you think.  Give it a listen and evaluate yourself and you'll be surprised at how much you take for granted.  I know I was!!  Following Mel C at #26 is this week's DEBUT HIT, by another first name/last initial artist with a song about the homeless.  Kristine W scores her tenth Top 50 hit, and the second highest debut ever on Craig's Top 50 ("Music" debuted at #23 last year), with "Let Love Reign."  My favorite song from the STRONGER album, there are remixes floating around that I have yet to find.  Ms. W is at her best on this pop dance number that not only gets you in the feet, but also gets you in the heart.  Check out the lyrics:

Our brother's sleeping all alone in the park
His head is resting on a pillow of hope
Then he says dance with me
He gives me smiles for free
He trades a joke for mine
And the world is fine
And we let love reign
Reach out and don't be afraid
Everything you do is coming back to you
Let love reign


A rich man's sitting on his velvet couch
His kingdom rains
Until he's drowning my dreams
Then he says sing for me
Give me your song for free
I'd trade his soul for mine if I could only make him kind
And he'd let love reign
Reach out don't be afraid
Everything you do is coming back to you
There's a kingdom of kindness where love is
And a rainbow will come with the rain's kiss
And love remains when love reigns


I do believe that love remains
I do believe that love reigns
When love rains
Everything I do is coming back I know
And I will let love reign
Please believe and let love reign

 Should definitely do well on the Top 50.

To the other debuts this week:  at #42 is the comeback from my favorite singer to ever have sex to--Sade (I know Too Much Info!!--get over it!).  "By Your Side" is a beautiful ballad and is the first thing Sade has released since her 80's heyday that I've really loved.  All of her music is wonderful, but this one is at the top of the list.  I love that the US music buying public has embraced Sade's music once again--it gives me hope for other artists who seem to have been lost behind by the overly popular hoochie coochie music plaguing radio these days (who am I referring to?? Well, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner, George Michael, Belinda Carlisle, Kylie Minogue, Tiffany, Deborah Gibson, Billie Myers, KRISTINE W, etc).  Also making a promising debut is the second Top 50 for matchbox twenty.  "If You're Gone" is a great little tune (much better than "Bent" in my honest opinion) and should generate some chart success for one of the most talked about bands from 2000.  

And finally, U2 returns to the Top 50 with "Beautiful Day."  The song debuts on its original version alone, but a groovy little dance number of the song should easily give it a hefty boost next week.  U2 last topped my Top 50 chart with their cover of Cole Porter's "Nite and Day" from the RED HOT + BLUE tribute album (for the record, that album also produced top 20 hits for Erasure, Sinead O'Conner, and Neneh Cherry).

Reaching their peak last week and falling this week (or holding steady) are the following:

Dido's "Here with Me" (#14/1wk, #27)

Amber's "Taste the Tears" (#16/2wks)

Madonna's "Don't Tell Me" (#1/1wk, #2)

I suppose that's all for now.  Don't forget to email me your fave music reviews (see the link below) and comment on Matt's (already posted on the review page--he recommends a lot of great music!!).  Also, until I can figure out why the Fan Page isn't working, please email me your charts etc.  I hope these colors aren't too much for anyone.  If so, let me know and I will change them for you!!

Is there something you would like to let other music fans know about???  Email me a list of your favorites and your reviews.  Fan Page

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