1999: From Hollywood soundtracks to a dance routine nobody expected
1999: From Hollywood soundtracks to a dance routine nobody expected
1999: From Hollywood soundtracks to a dance routine nobody expected
Gary Oberholzer
1999: From Hollywood soundtracks to a dance routine nobody expected
What do a Hollywood romance, an unexpected ice-skating hit and one of cricket’s most heartbreaking moments have in common? They all take us back to 1999 — a year of unforgettable music, extraordinary sporting drama and some surprising stories behind songs we still love today.
It’s the featured year on this week’s HOT Classic Countdown with Steve Bishop, taking place every Sunday from 12 to 3pm on HOT 102.7FM.
Robbie Williams was enjoying life as a solo superstar, with She’s the One becoming one of his signature ballads. But here’s something you might not know: Robbie wasn’t the first to record it. The song was written by Karl Wallinger and originally released by his band World Party in 1997.
Robbie’s version became a huge success, although Wallinger was reportedly less than thrilled about how it happened.
Another familiar love song was enjoying a second life.
Ronan Keating’s When You Say Nothing at All became a favourite thanks to the romantic comedy Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. But the song had country music roots, having first been recorded by Keith Whitley in 1988.
Whitney Houston was also proving that great music could cross genres. Her powerful It’s Not Right but It’s Okay was transformed into a dance-floor favourite through a series of remixes, particularly the Thunderpuss version.
The original recording would earn Whitney a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2000.
Then there was Eminem, whose outrageous My Name Is introduced millions to his alter ego, Slim Shady. The distinctive instrumental hook came from British musician Labi Siffre’s 1975 recording I Got The…. But Siffre initially objected to some of the rapper’s lyrics and demanded changes before approving the sample.
Did You Know?
One of 1999’s most memorable music videos was filmed with an astonishingly small budget. Fatboy Slim’s Praise You featured director Spike Jonze leading a deliberately awkward dance troupe outside a Los Angeles cinema, to the bewilderment of genuine passers-by.
Reportedly made for around $800, the video went on to win three MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Direction.
Proof that a brilliant idea can be worth far more than a Hollywood production budget!
Back in South Africa, 1999 delivered a sporting moment nobody could forget. The Proteas’ Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia ended in a dramatic tie after a disastrous final-over run-out involving Lance Klusener and Allan Donald. South Africa was eliminated, leaving a nation heartbroken.
On the musical front, South African rock continued to flourish, with bands like Watershed and Tree63 helping shape a homegrown sound that connected with audiences well beyond our borders.
And while established stars were dominating the airwaves, a future pop sensation was just arriving. Sabrina Carpenter was born on 11 May 1999, long before becoming one of the biggest names in contemporary pop.
As the millennium drew to a close, the musical landscape was clearly changing. From the soulful storytelling of Shawn Mullins to the infectious dance sounds of Phats & Small, the charts reflected a remarkable variety of musical influences.
Some songs were brand-new discoveries. Others had fascinating histories stretching back years. Together, they created a soundtrack that remains instantly recognisable more than a quarter-century later.
Join Steve Bishop this Sunday, 8 November, from 12 noon to 3pm on HOT 102.7FM, for a memorable trip through the music and stories of 1999.
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