After 60 proper legends of pop (OK, you may have thought that some were a bit iffy), it is now time for my Top 20 Leg Ends of pop. These are those groups or artists that have had hits and sold well, but by no means a favourite of mine.
I do know that some of you will really like these, as there is no accounting for taste.
Now, SB does not like the use of profanity in the articles (comments fine, not articles), therefore if I say, for example, “Clut” I mean that well known GP word which is a sign of endearment, and if I say the word “Fluff” it is a well know word beginning with F, four letters, last letter a K, 2nd letter a U and just in case there is doubt, the 3rd letter is a C. The use of the word “Sausage” means that four letter word for when evacuating the bowels.
H/T to Brett of this parish, who very kindly sent me his play list of dire, dreadful, suicidal and basically fluffing songs generally done by right Cluts which are all pretty Sausage. H/T also to Mr.A who raised a very good case to include this pile of old sausage.
So, on we go with No 11 on my list: – Atomic Kitten.
They are chosen for this article on the basis that they had one absolutely superb song, : “Whole Again“, the fourth-best-selling song of all time by a girl group in the UK; then all the rest where a pile of old sausage, Pretty much the same as All Saints who had the wonderful Never Ever, then everything else was an also ran. No denying that both groups contained some very beautiful girls, but that was just a tick a box exercise.
Atomic Kitten is an English girl group formed in Liverpool in 1998, whose current members are Liz McClarnon, Jenny Frost and Natasha Hamilton. The group was founded by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) members Andy McCluskey and Stuart Kershaw, who served as principal songwriters during Atomic Kitten’s early years. The group’s debut album Right Now was released in October 2000 and charted at number 39 in the United Kingdom. After five top ten singles, original member Kerry Katona quit – four weeks before “Whole Again” reached number one in the UK Singles Chart – and was replaced by former Precious singer Jenny Frost. “Whole Again” became the group’s most successful single, staying at number one for four weeks in the UK and six weeks in Germany, and reaching number one in many other territories; in Britain, it was the 13th best-selling single of the 2000s. The group re-released their debut album, with some tracks re-recorded with Frost’s vocals: it peaked at number one in the UK and was certified double platinum after selling over 600,000 copies.
Between 2002 and 2004, the group released a further two studio albums, Feels So Good (which also went double platinum in the UK) and Ladies Night, and a greatest hits album before announcing a break following their 2004 tour. To date the group have had three UK number-one singles: “Whole Again“, the fourth-best-selling song of all time by a girl group in the UK; “Eternal Flame“, a song originally recorded by The Bangles; and “The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)“, a song originally recorded by The Paragons. They have sold over 10 million records worldwide.
After making sporadic appearances from 2005 to 2008, it was announced that McClarnon, Hamilton, and Katona would reunite for the ITV2 series The Big Reunion, alongside five other pop groups of their time: B*Witched, Five, Liberty X, Honeyz and 911. Frost was unable to take part in the comeback because of her pregnancy. Katona left the group for a second time in December 2017 leaving the group as a duo until Frost returned to the group in 2021.
The featured song : “Whole Again“, is a superb track that I always enjoy hearing on the radio. Whilst the rest I would not turn off, I probably would not recognise any as this is just an identikit group and their tracks could be anyone.
Atomic Kitten – Right Now | Live @ BOTS (2015), some spin off Big brother show, obviously miming. Good sex appeal, little else.
Atomic Kitten – See Ya – Top Of The Pops April 2000. They work hard on the dance routine, but a very non-memorable tune.
Atomic Kitten – I Want Your Love (TOTP 2000), another piece of holiday centre kiddie’s disco sausage.
Atomic Kitten – Eternal Flame ( Pontins Camber Sands 90s & 00s Weekender October 2019). As a holiday site regular, I do like the entertainment club, and this is the sort of thing you would expect to see. This recording is not good, and I am doing this band an injustice, so here is a proper version: Atomic Kitten-Eternal flame TOTP August 2001. Quality miming, simply re-hashing a great song by The Bangles and not stamping their style on it, basically because they do not have much in the way of musical style.
Atomic Kitten – The Tide Is High – Top of The Pops September 2002 – They took this classic Blondie song to No 1. There seems to be one of them missing. Proving again that by adding zero of yourself to a cover version, you can just pick a great song and do well. If it is a cover, I want to hear and see something different.
I could not find an actual live recording where they sing rather than prance around and mime.
In my view you really must put a lot of effort into being you, and not some cheap soundalike knock off. I give you this example:
Disturbed “The Sound Of Silence” 03/28/16 | Conan on TBS. A wonderful example of taking a classic song and stamping your authority and style on it. That’s how it’s done.
PS: I jut wanted to finish on a decent tune, and not the sort of fluffing old sausage done by Nuclear Pussy.
Singalong, enjoy and be happy!
Links to previous Legend articles:
Featured image: “Manchester’s newest station” by Gene Hunt is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
© Phil the ex test manager 2022
