2021 in Pop

Folks, we did it. We got to the end of 2021. And it feels a little like the end of 2020 (actually not really - although things are up in the air Covid-wise we are at least able to go about our business - even if we had thought that this might all be a distant memory by now...)

And 2021 was also a year where we got to see live pop music again. Granted, not loads of it - and the continued cycle of postponements and cancellations continues, even into 2022 as we see some of the Q1 schedule start to disappear. But we had a dance to some great pop - we made a triumphant return after 17 months away from an arena floor with The Vamps, then had a brilliany boogie with Natalie, Erasure, Jase, and McFly. (And actually we shouldn't forget the great outdoor pop fun of Hoopla in September either).

But of course the absolute highlight of the year (not just musically, I mean pretty much across the board) was the return to the stage of The Mighty Steps - and, miraculously, and despite Covid's best efforts, we got to see all six of the shows we had tickets for, even if only half had a full complement of members. Honestly, it was absolutely joyous - 2 hours of non-stop bangers and an amazing atmosphere every night (with props to Sophie EB of course for warming the crowd up each time!). And a new album to boot giving us more great pop earworms. 

It may have been almost exactly 20 years since the fateful split - but Steps have now been together longer in this era than they were first time round - and I doubt they'd be doing it if they hadn't imploded at the end of 2001. So we're grateful for how it has all turned out! 

BUT! I hear you cry. ENOUGH! What about your Top Pop of 2021, Carlbob? Well, dear reader, fear not for it is here. Once again, following the recent format that is entirely based around social media's image sizing demands, of a Top 9 - followed by a selection of the rest that caught my ear. 

Rules: well, the main one that's been stuck to is that there are no Eurovision, Melfest or national final songs here otherwise famously we'll be here all day. Also things have to be 'promoted as a single - whatever that means these days - but i.e. not an album track but vaguely given a standalone push in some form. (The days where something had to chart in the UK are long gone for many reasons!)

However in honour of the 2021 Formula 1 Drivers Championship, I have decided that if they can make up/ignore rules then so can I, and so you'll note that the usual 'no remixes' rule has been turfed aside to ensure that there's a banging retro-inspired track in the top 9. Hey, it's almost so different to the original it counts as a new single so it's staying in guys.

As ever - embeds below and links on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are here.

Happy new year all!

Top 9 (alphabetical by title):

• Another You - Alok & Bloodline feat. The Vamps
• Driver's Licence - KEiiNO
• Don't Shut Me Down - ABBA
• EveryTime I Cry - Ava Max
• Here Comes The Night - Agnes
• Higher Power - Coldplay
• Real Groove (Studio 2054 Initial Talk Remix) - Kylie Minogue & Dua Lipa
• The Slightest Touch - Steps
• Symptom of Your Touch - Aly & AJ

Plus you'll find 19 more tracks over on the playlists (including the first ever appearance by Ed Sheeran in one of my lists, what is happening?!)