"Gotta Tell You" (2000) Gotta Tell You
Hot 100: #4
Days on TRL: 29
Overall score: 9.00 High score:10 (supaspaz, Truth Teller, KillingYourCareer, Patrick, PeopleLikeUs, MWB, CoolestPerson12, Taste of Honey, Cherry Noir, BlueTimberwolf, FantasyRide) Low score:5 (BadMouthBetsy)
And so this rate ends the only way it could—with redemption for the B-lister who came closest to entering pop’s VIP circle, the “black Britney” who never was. Samantha Mumba’s “Gotta Tell You” is a debut for the ages, a dreamy Swedish-pop masterpiece that deserves to be in the bubblegum era canon. From its opening vocal cascade and sparse bass intro to its sugar-rush explosion of a chorus and climactic middle eight, it’s a brilliantly measured progression of hook after delicious hook. A global smash that launched by far the biggest era any of these girls had (Gotta Tell You sold over 4 million copies worldwide), it was also the only track to receive a 9 average from voters. Congratulations to our favorite Irish lass, an A-lister in our hearts!
Best bit: Can I just say all of it? This is an honest-to-god pop classic.
The music video... follows Samantha as she casually strolls through Los Angeles with no regard for any obstacle in her way, before running onto a departing plane at the end of the song. It’s a simple, brilliantly-executed concept that’s probably the coolest clip in the rate as well.
Ace gave "Gotta Tell You" a 9.9, by the way. He did a weird thing where he ranked all the songs and gave them descending scores 0.1 points apart ("Crush" was his 10), but everything after he reached 7 just got a 2.
So sorry to "Perfect Day" and "I Wanna Be Bad"! Maybe things could have been different for you.
The OP is now updated for anyone who wants to relive the fun.
And it was a blast, by the way! Thank you all for being such awesome participants. I loved revisiting my childhood with you. This is definitely one of my favorite rates I've ever hosted.
