For reasons only clear to Disney executives who thought BSB-backed lesbian chic was the next big thing, this charming pop soufflé from Mexican-American teenager Myra did not get the big promotional push from the Princess Diaries soundtrack. (It received what would be known in the days of blockbuster ‘80s and ‘90s soundtracks as the “love theme” treatment a.k.a. the Diane Warren slot.) But with its shimmering, hooky uplift, "Miracles Happen" also fit the Disney mold perfectly, becoming something of a modern-day musical classic for the Mouse House. Though not a mainstream hit, it did reach #22 on Hot Latin Pop Songs (which is actually lower than “Oops!…I Did It Again” peaked on that baffling chart).
Best bit: that middle-eight falsetto reaches such blissfully towering heights the whole song feels like it’s about to take flight
The music video... has to make do with a low-budget appearance from Heather Matarazzo. Ouch.
Let me also take this opportunity to apologize to Krystal. While noting last night how floppy she was, I didn't realize that the Princess Diaries soundtrack apparently went gold, which could have been due in part to her. So get it, supergirl! I hope those royalty checks sustained you.
Before they gave into the sinful temptations of boys, the (very) young teens of Play were all about female friendship. This bubbly debut single celebrates chicks before dicks, and thanking your best girlfriends for setting you right when a new case of puppy love has you acting a mess. A favorite with the Radio Disney set—and a smash at Bahamian clubs—“Us Against the World” drove Play’s self-titled album to gold status in the U.S.
Best bit: The adorably accented English. You can tell at least two of them probably learned the song phonetically.
The music video... features Play as a team of superheroes whose lair is behind their school lockers. After saving a school bus from ninjas, they perform a concert for their new friends. (I am not making this up.)
"When You Look at Me" (2002) Christina Milian
Hot 100: —
Days on TRL: —
Overall score: 6.62 High score:10 (Kyle-x) Low score:1 (MWB)
After cutting her teeth as a hook girl for Ja Rule and a songwriter for Jennifer Lopez, Christina Milian got her own turn in the spotlight in 2001. But following the 9/11 attacks, her album was delayed—and ultimately shelved in the U.S.—putting the breaks on her music career as she fought with her record label and turned her attention to acting and hosting. This second single from the record, a cooly contained Bloodshy & Avant production (!) that features a bass hook worthy of a bigger hit, briefly kept the momentum going worldwide. She would reemerge a few years later, though, with a signature smash that we’ll see later on this countdown.
Best bit: “You look at your neighbor thinking, ‘What a guy’/‘Cause he’s got a 9-to-5/And I bet that you don’t realize/He stalks while you sleep at night/But you’re scared of the homeless guy”
The music video... demonstrates how difficult it is to perform choreography in stilettos.
nnn remember the time that Christina and Ashanti were essentially the lead vocalists on "Play" and "I'm Real/Ain't It Funny (Remixes)?" Not even Paula Abdul had so many of her hits ghost-sung.
Already stars in their native Britain, Cleo, Yonah and Zainam Higgins—better known as Cleopatra—caught the eye of Madonna, who signed them to her record label and introduced them to American audiences at the 1998 Kids’ Choice Awards. Released soon after, their debut single, a funky mission statement of sisterhood and stardom, reached the top thirty of the Billboard Hot 100 and the top twenty on the R&B chart.
Best bit: “Cleopatra, comin’ atcha!”—everybody loved singing along to that part
The music video... also stars the girls’ mum and younger sister, a trend that would continue with subsequent videos and a UK sitcom. Cleopatra was nothing if not a family affair.
