These are the groups for Day 1 of the People’s Pop Poll! Obviously it contains SPOILERS for the day’s match-ups so if you’d prefer to be surprised read no further!
Division 1 GROUP 1:
THE BAND – “The Weight”: One of their best known tracks, inspired by Bunuel (so says Robbie Robertson), it’s been used in loads of films and was a No.21 hit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFqb1I-hiHE
DAVID BOWIE – “Heroes”: Berlin ballad that gradually became his most famous song – regularly appears on best-songs-of-all-time lists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXgkuM2NhYI
ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN – “The Killing Moon”: Lead single from Ocean Rain in 1984 and a Top 10 hit. “I know there’s not a band in the world who’s got a song anywhere near that” – Ian MacCulloch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWz0JC7afNQ
THE WHITE STRIPES – “Fell In Love With A Girl”: Also a UK No.21 hit, and the signature Stripes track that isn’t “Seven Nation Army” – famous also for its delightful Michel Gondry lego video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTH71AAxXmM
Division 2 GROUP 1:
ALY AND AJ – “Potential Break-Up Song”: Disney Channel favourites Aly & AJ’s biggest hit, from 2007. We’ll rate the version with “violence and sexual innuendo” intact, thanks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqpA5Acc8-c
CARLY RAE JEPSEN – “Your Type”: Third single from E-MO-TION (and a Top 50 smash in Belgium), this has racked up streams as a Carly Rae fan favourite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlFMVzo9zuE
HAIM – “Falling”: Another band of sisters, with the third single from album monster hit Days Are Gone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIjVpRAXK18
MIRANDA LAMBERT – “Vice”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTlaRu_Wsl4: A number 2 country hit and the lead single from The Weight Of These Wings.
Division 3 GROUP 1:
THE GAP BAND – “You Dropped A Bomb On Me”: 1982 funk smash from the Wilson brothers, removed from the radio after 9/11 (for a bit, anyway). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17lkdqoLt44
PRINCE – “Sign O The Times”: State-of-the-nation 1987 Pazz & Jop winner with a surprisingly low number of Spotify streams. Not the last time we’ll be seeing Prince. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EdxM72EZ94
THE SPINNERS – “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love?”: Swoonsome Thom Bell-produced 1972 hit for the veteran soul group. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EdxM72EZ94
STARDUST – “Music Sounds Better With You”: A return bout for this Number 2 UK hit from Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter. Can it go further this time? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQlAEiCb8m0
Division 4 GROUP 1:
ABBA – “The Visitors”: Ominous title track of the Swedes’ final album (and a hit single in some places). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvQOA0fznrA
EIGHTH WONDER – “I’m Not Scared”: Pet Shop Boys written hit for Patsy Kensit’s band, includes a bit in French. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-PYqUHfTMA
THE HUMAN LEAGUE – “The Things That Dreams Are Made Of”: Our first album track! The opening track on 1981 synthpop colossus Dare. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehYU6p3aIZQ
MADNESS – “Wings Of A Dove”: The Nutty Boys do gospel (and drive a van out of a plane). Narrowly left off the No.2s poll. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MReDjx1FIaE
Division 5 GROUP 1:
FEMME – “Fever Boy”: Cult pop act FEMME’s 80s-tinted second single, from 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XomrEeZiNj8
PARIS HILTON – “Screwed”: The only track in the poll detourned by Banksy, this was Paris’ first leaked song from her 2016 LP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moZm9rHgJns
POPPY – “Don’t Go Outside”: Isolation ballad from 2020’s pop/nu-metal LP I Disagree. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeRuFdgrwuY
VANESSA CARLTON – “Blue Pool”: Single and title track from the “1000 Miles” hitmaker’s 2015 LP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-XOmUlIIHI
Division 6 GROUP 1:
ALLO DARLIN’ – “The Polaroid Song”: Second single from the London indiepop act fronted by Elizabeth Murray. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un4e4VN1ANE
ASH – “Warmer Than Fire”: Download-only single from the Northern Irish indie rockers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aevMTf2fm4E
SOMETHING HAPPENS – “Parachute”: 1990 single from the Dublin band, a lead-in to their major label debut LP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuLcCmj4vMY
THROWING MUSES – “Delicate Cutters”: Finishing off today’s polls with the closer from Kristin Hersh’s band’s 1986 self-titled debut. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZAX9WzAr-I