2009 Top Singles - It's a Knockout (Winner: Lady Gaga's Poker Face)

[Corki]

After the success of last year's "It's A Knockout" for the best selling singles of 2008, the contest returns with the top 16 singles from the UK chart, according to BBC Radio 1.  

 

"It's A Knockout" remains with the longer format this month - and this means there are 16 songs instead of 8! And the 16 songs are the top 16 from the Radio 1 link.

 

 

"It's a Knockout" - Format

For those of you who have not been involved with a "It's A Knockout" thread before, the rules are quite simple. The Band of the Red Hand is DM's travel and music ORG, and "It's a Knockout" is a knock out competition to find out the winner of the chosen category - this time, the top selling singles of 2009. Each day, 2 of 2009's best selling singes will be posted, along with a link so you can listen to the song if you do not know it, and all you have to do is post which of the 2 songs you prefer. After a day, the votes will be counted, and the winning song will progress to the next round, until we only have 1 song left as the winner at the end of the competition - which will be crowned the Band of the Red Hand's best selling single of 2009! It's very simple, so I look forward to seeing you getting involved!

 

So without further a-do, let the competition begin!

[Corki]

RESULTS

 

Please Note: The numbers in brackets refer to their placing in the top selling singles for 2009 in the UK Charts.

 

Round 1

 

1. Poker Face by Lady Gaga (1) beat Beat Again by JLS (16) (4-1)

2. Number 1 by Tinchy Stryder feat N-Dubz (11) beat Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas (7) (4-3)

3. In for the Kill by La Roux (6) beat Bad Boys by Alexandra Burke Feat. Flo Rida (9) (3-0)

4. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon (13) beat Fight For This Love by Cheryl Cole (4) (3-0)

5. Just Dance by Lady Gaga (3) beat Meet Me Halfway by Black Eyed Peas (10) (6-)

6. Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine (8 ) lost to The Fear by Lily Allen (14) (0-4)

7. Sexy Chick by David Guetta feat. Akon (12) beat The Climb by Joe McElderry (5) (3-1)

8. Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal (15) lost to I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas (2) (0-3)

 

2nd Round

 

1. In for the Kill by La Roux (6) lost to The Fear by Lily Allen (14) (2-3)

2. I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas (2) lost to Use Somebody by Kings of Leon (13) (0-3)

3. Poker Face by Lady Gaga (1) beat Sexy Chick by David Guetta feat. Akon (12) (4-0)

4. Just Dance by Lady Gaga (3) beat Number 1 by Tinchy Stryder feat N-Dubz (11) (3-0)

 

Semi-Final

 

1. Just Dance by Lady Gaga (3) lost to Use Somebody by Kings of Leon (13) (3-4)

2. The Fear by Lily Allen (14) lost to Poker Face by Lady Gaga (1) (1-4)

 

3rd/4th Play-off

 

1. Just Dance by Lady Gaga (3) beat The Fear by Lily Allen (14) (5-2)

 

Final

 

1. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon (13) lost to Poker Face by Lady Gaga (1) (3-4)

[Corki]

THE CHOSEN SONGS

 

1. Poker Face by Lady Gaga (1)

This was the UK's biggest selling single of 2009, shifting over 850,000 copies, with a lot more success through downloads. After a quiet release in late 2008, it went to number 1 in March 2009. It is another electropop song from the weird/riskee (delete as you view it) American. The main idea behind the song is bisexuality and was a tribute by Gaga to her rock 'n' roll boyfriends.

 

 

2. Beat Again by JLS (16)

The runners up from the 5th series of the X Factor (yet more manufactured musicians), this was their debut single. What is nice is that the group wrote their own song - something of a rarity for reality TV bands and musicians! It got mixed reviews, but managed to get to number 1 in the UK chart in July 2009.

 

 

3. Number 1 by Tinchy Stryder feat N-Dubz (11)

Released in April 2009, this went to number 1, where it stayed for 3 weeks. The song received positive reviews. It is probably best described as rappy-urban pop. It is recognizable for the strings sample from The Last Time as performed by The Andrew Oldham Orchestra, which was also used in the Bitter Sweet Symphony song by The Verve.

 

 

4. Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas (7)

This was the lead single from the Black Eyed Peas 5th album, and it also knocked Number 1 by Tinchy Stryder off the top of the UK Chart in May 2009. The song uses the auto-tune vocal effect, and blends the genres of dance pop, electro-hop and hip hop. The song was nominated at the 52nd Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording and Best Short Form Music Video.

 

 

5. In for the Kill by La Roux (6)

This is the English electropop's second single from their début album and it is peaked at number 2 within the UK chart. The song is heavily influenced by the title theme of the '80s cartoon classic Pole Position. Singer Elly Jackson said that the song is "about telling someone how you feel regardless of what you get back, and not waiting to find out if they want you or not".

 

 

6. Bad Boys by Alexandra Burke Feat. Flo Rida (9)

Alexandra Burke is the 2008 X Factor winner (yet more manufactured musicians). Released in October 2009, it was the official first single from Burke's début album. Lyrically, Bad Boys is about "fancying dangerous men" and been called "the opposite of a ballad". It topped both th

 

 

7. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon (13)

This single was the second from Kings of Leon's fourth studio album. It was released in December 2008, and has achieved great chart success across the globe. It was the group's mainstream breakthrough single in the US, reaching number 4. It received mainly positive reviews from critics.

 

 

8. Fight For This Love by Cheryl Cole (4)

This was Girls Aloud's Cheryl Cole's first solo single. It was the first single from her début album, and charted at the top of the UK Charts in October 2009. It got mixed reviews, but because of Cole's presence on the X Factor (*shudder shudder*),  it charted well.

 

 

9. Just Dance by Lady Gaga (3)

This was the lead single from Lady Gaga's début album. It reached number 1 in the UK charts in January 2009, and proved successful across the globe. The single features Colby O'Donis with additional vocals by Akon. The music video of the song portrayed Lady Gaga appearing in a party where she plays the song, prompting party-goers to start dancing in enjoyment. It also received a Grammy nomination in 2009.

 

 

10. Meet Me Halfway by Black Eyed Peas (10)

This was the 3rd single from the Black Eyed Peas 5th album. It went straight to number 1 in the UK when it was released in November 2009. This was the final single released in a 3 week period leading up to the album release.

 

 

11. Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine (8 )

This was the UK's Christmas number 1 as a result of an internet campaign to deny Simon Cowell and his X-Factor puppet yet another number 1. Original released in 1992, it reached number 25 for the US rap-metal group. Written about revolution against racism in security agencies, "Killing in the Name" is widely recognised as the band's signature song, and has been noted for its distinctive guitar riffs and heavy use of strong language.

 

 

12. The Fear by Lily Allen (14)

This was a popular song across Europe, peaking into the top 20 of a large majority of European countries, and spending 4 weeks at the top of the UK charts during January and February 2009. The song incorporates electropop music as the lyrics tackle the problems with celebrity lifestyles and include metaphors for recognized British newspapers, as well as sarcasm.

 

 

13. Sexy Chick by David Guetta feat. Akon (12)

The proper name of the song is actually Sexy Bitch. This was the second single from Guetta's fourth studio album. The song has been a surprise hit, and has reached the number one spot on nine different charts so far. It entered the charts at number 16 during August, and then moved upto number 1 a week later.

 

 

14. The Climb by Joe McElderry (5)

This is such a sad story...not! The winner of the UK's X-Factor lost the Christmas number 1 battle to Rage Against the Machine after an internet campaign. And the story gets worse - this is a cover of Miley Cyrus (of Hannah Montana fame). That must be a low point. Anyway, McElderry did manage to get to number 1...a week later. At least he got the honour of having the last UK number 1 of the decade...

 

 

15. Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal (15)

The song also features American producer Armand Van Helden. It was the first single from Dizzee Rascal's fourth album. It was released in May 2009 and went straight to number 1 in the UK charts. It was also a move away for Dizzee Rascal from his grime style of music into pop and house.

 

 

16. I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas (2)

This was the Black Eyed Peas second single from their fifth album. The song was produced by acclaimed French house DJ David Guetta, who makes a guest appearance in the music video. It went in at number 2 in the US and Canadian charts - behind Boom Boom Pow, another of their songs. It was a lot slower in the UK, but it eventually reached the top spot. The song has since been nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 52nd Grammy Awards.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 1

 

 

 

Poker Face by Lady Gaga (1)

This was the UK's biggest selling single of 2009, shifting over 850,000 copies, with a lot more success through downloads. After a quiet release in late 2008, it went to number 1 in March 2009. It is another electropop song from the weird/riskee (delete as you view it) American. The main idea behind the song is bisexuality and was a tribute by Gaga to her rock 'n' roll boyfriends.

 

 

 

vs.

 

 

Beat Again by JLS (16)

The runners up from the 5th series of the X Factor (yet more manufactured musicians), this was their debut single. What is nice is that the group wrote their own song - something of a rarity for reality TV bands and musicians! It got mixed reviews, but managed to get to number 1 in the UK chart in July 2009.

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 7th January 2010 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Banders, Please Note:

 

Voting in "It's A Knockout" threads counts towards posting in an activity thread for points gained through the roll call. However, in order for that to qualify, you need to post and vote at least 4 times.

 

Corki

Marshal-General

ORG Leader

[Corki]

Voting is now underway!

[Corki]

Poker Face wins hands down! I think it is quite a good song, and have enjoyed listening to it whenever it comes on the radio (in those rare moments I listen to it!).

[Majsju]

I am almost ashamed to admit it, but I kinda like Lady Gaga, so Poker Face.

[Jeannaisais]

I have to go against the trend and say JLS Beat Again

[mmeeshal]

Okay, honestly I don't like Lady Gaga much at all, but of the two songs I would rather listen to Poker Face.  It's catchier.

[Canis Rufus]

WHAT that freat of a lady rocks with the weirdness that music has been missing for so long.  Deff Lady Gaga

 

 

( Also I checked out that last song and from the boy group, and that was just mean, seriously that you would post that with out warning is hatefull to music lovers everywhere)

[Corki]

Lady Gaga and Poker Face win through to the 2nd Round with a 4-1 win over JLS.

 

Time for the second tie of the 1st Round.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 2

 

 

 

Number 1 by Tinchy Stryder feat N-Dubz (11)

Released in April 2009, this went to number 1, where it stayed for 3 weeks. The song received positive reviews. It is probably best described as rappy-urban pop. It is recognizable for the strings sample from The Last Time as performed by The Andrew Oldham Orchestra, which was also used in the Bitter Sweet Symphony song by The Verve.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas (7)

This was the lead single from the Black Eyed Peas 5th album, and it also knocked Number 1 by Tinchy Stryder off the top of the UK Chart in May 2009. The song uses the auto-tune vocal effect, and blends the genres of dance pop, electro-hop and hip hop. The song was nominated at the 52nd Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording and Best Short Form Music Video.

 

 

Voting ends Friday 8th January 2010 at 11pm (GMT)

[mmeeshal]

Okay, neither is my style of music but I liked Number 1 better.

[Majsju]

Both songs are repulsive, but I give Black Eyed Peas my vote, just because they have done a decent song or two in the past.

[Corki]

Neither is my cup of tea, but my vote goes to the Black Eyed Peas.

[Jeannaisais]

Number 1

[Guest Cairos]

Black Eyed Peas gets my vote!

[Canis Rufus]

Number 1 by Tinchy Stryder feat N-Dubz (11)

[Corki]

If this is still a tie by the time I wake up in the morning, I shall cast the deciding vote. So it would be great if someone who hasn't voted already breaks the deadlock!

[Krakalakachkn]

Number 1

[Corki]

Thanks to Krak, I can finish this and move onto tie 3 of the 1st Round. And Krak's vote gave Tinchy Strider  victory and passage into Round 2.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 3

 

 

 

In for the Kill by La Roux (6)

This is the English electropop's second single from their début album and it is peaked at number 2 within the UK chart. The song is heavily influenced by the title theme of the '80s cartoon classic Pole Position. Singer Elly Jackson said that the song is "about telling someone how you feel regardless of what you get back, and not waiting to find out if they want you or not".

 

 

vs.

 

 

Bad Boys by Alexandra Burke Feat. Flo Rida (9)

Alexandra Burke is the 2008 X Factor winner (yet more manufactured musicians). Released in October 2009, it was the official first single from Burke's début album. Lyrically, Bad Boys is about "fancying dangerous men" and been called "the opposite of a ballad". It topped both the UK and Irish charts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhwPbbs5X9w

 

 

Voting ends Monday 11th January 2010 at 11pm (GMT)

[mmeeshal]

This was kind of tough for me, because lyrically I like In for the Kill better, but Bad Boys was easier on my ears.

 

I'm going to go with In for the Kill, though.  It's kind of cool.

[Majsju]

La Roux. That other "song" should be banned for being a crime against humanity.