1999 was a phenomenal year for music, witnessing the rise of various genres and iconic tracks that dominated airwaves and charts globally. In the UK, the official charts saw a diverse range of music styles vying for the coveted number one spot. While Europop and Latin-infused sounds made significant waves, it was ultimately a US pop sensation that claimed the title of the best-selling Number One Song In 1999.
The year is perhaps best remembered for the explosion of ultra-slick US pop, spearheaded by none other than Britney Spears. Her debut single, …Baby One More Time, produced by the legendary Max Martin, not only topped the charts but also defined a new era of pop music. This infectious track became the number one song in 1999, setting the stage for a wave of similar artists like Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC to achieve chart success. Backstreet Boys themselves reached number one in May of the same year with “I Want It That Way,” highlighting the dominance of this polished pop sound.
Alt text: Britney Spears performing her debut single “…Baby One More Time” in the music video, showcasing her iconic early 90s pop style.
While Britney reigned supreme with the number one song in 1999, Europop also experienced a massive surge in popularity. Italian group Eiffel 65’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” became the second best-selling single of the year, holding the number one position for three weeks and selling over 956,000 copies. German DJ ATB’s instrumental hit “9pm (Till I Come)” also captured the summer vibe, landing at number five on the year-end chart. Further demonstrating Europop’s chart dominance, French artist Mr. Oizo’s “Flat Beat,” famously used in a Levi’s commercial, reached number one, and Dutch group Alice Deejay’s “Better Off Alone” also became a significant hit.
Vengaboys further cemented Europop’s presence in the UK charts in 1999, incredibly securing three entries in the year-end Top 40. Their high-energy tracks “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!” and “We’re Going To Ibiza!” both reached number one, while “We Like To Party! (The Vengabus)” also enjoyed considerable success, showcasing the broad appeal of Europop during this period.
Alt text: Eiffel 65 group members in a scene from their “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” music video, characterized by blue-themed outfits and surreal digital effects, reflecting the Europop style of 1999.
Latin music also began its ascent in 1999, introducing vibrant rhythms to the mainstream. Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…)” spent two weeks at number one and became the fourth best-selling single of the year. Ricky Martin’s infectious “Livin’ La Vida Loca” further fueled the Latin craze, also reaching number one and becoming one of the year’s biggest hits.
British music maintained a strong presence in the charts as well. Shanks & Bigfoot’s “Sweet Like Chocolate” marked a milestone as the UK’s first garage number one in May. Homegrown pop acts like S Club 7 with their debut “Bring It All Back,” Martine McCutcheon’s chart-topping “Perfect Moment,” and Steps with their double A-side “Heartbeat/Tragedy” all contributed to the vibrant UK pop scene.
Alt text: S Club 7 performing “Bring It All Back” in their debut music video, showcasing their energetic dance moves and bright, youthful style that defined British pop in the late 90s.
US artists continued to make their mark on the UK charts beyond the pop explosion. Christina Aguilera’s debut “Genie In A Bottle,” R&B group TLC’s “No Scrubs,” and Whitney Houston’s powerful singles “My Love Is Your Love” and “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay” all achieved significant chart success, demonstrating the diverse range of American music resonating with UK audiences.
In conclusion, 1999 was a year of musical diversity, with Europop, Latin sounds, and a wave of US and British pop hits dominating the charts. However, it was Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” that truly captured the zeitgeist, becoming the number one song in 1999 and solidifying her place as a pop icon while defining the sound of a generation. The year’s top songs reflect a vibrant and eclectic music landscape, showcasing the global appeal of pop music at the turn of the millennium.
