CN Group-owned radio station CityBeat is celebrating 10 years of broadcasting today (Sunday). And to celebrate, the CityBeat’s Head of Music and only on-air presenter to have lasted all ten years Stuart Robinson compiled the station’s top 100 songs of the last decade as voted for by CityBeat listeners.
Stuart said: “For the last week we have been asking our listeners to email us their top ten songs of the last decade to coincide with our 10th birthday and we have been absolutely inundated with suggestions. Everything from Who Let The Dogs Out to Barbie Girl have been on people’s list but the final 100 shows a vast array of Irish, UK and international artists such as Brian Kennedy, The Corrs, U2, Britney, Westlife, Christina Aguilera, Lonestar, Robbie Williams, Shania Twain, Savage Garden and Boyzone.
“I think the most surprising results are the fact that Take That and the Spice Girls haven’t made it into the top ten yet Emma Bunton and Robbie Williams have.”
CityBeat’s top 100 songs of the last decade aired between 6am to 4pm with presenters such as Paul Francis, Paul Orr and Stuart Robinson.
Stuart added: “This top 100 is truly the best reflection of the most popular hits throughout the last decade in Belfast.
“Through our constant support, airplay and exposure of these artists CityBeat have been a contributory factor to their success in Northern Ireland and on a national scale.
“Lonestar — Amazed, the song which is top of our list was confirmed as 2000’s biggest selling single of the year and Belfast sales for that year were constant and many.
“While the song only reached number 21 in the UK chart it still managed to achieve top selling status and I firmly believe this is partly because of CityBeat’s support for the single and the listeners love of the song. The fact that nearly seven years later the song is top of our list shows it’s still loved by many.”
Last week Belfast singer Brian Kennedy officially opened CityBeat’s new state-of-the-art station and studios and the star’s popularity with the station’s listeners meant he will appear on the list a whopping 4 times for Put The Message In A Box; Life, Love and Happiness; A Better Man and You Raise Me Up.
Brian said: “CityBeat have always supported me, ever since the first single.
“I think any radio station has to be the heartbeat of the city. And CityBeat is that – it’s one of those stations that people just love to listen to, I’m not just saying this but when I am back in Belfast I always tune into CityBeat”.
Commenting on the 10th birthday Station Director Richard Collett added: “We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone in CityBeat’s history. Over the last ten years CityBeat has become an integral part in the lives of our listeners in Belfast and beyond.
“Looking ahead the station is dedicated now more than ever to providing the kind of broadcasting Belfast expects and delivering the kind of results our advertisers deserve.”