Shows
Can't Stop The PopAmbitions (Feat. Joe McElderry)For this episode, we've ventured (just) outside the '90s and '00s to discuss Joe McElderry's 2010 single, 'Ambitions'. And we've bent the rules with good reason because the man himself joins us to look back at his first post-X Factor release. Joe gives us all the background on the song's origins as a chart-topping hit for the Norwegian band Donkeyboy and how it helped shape the sound of his debut album, 'Wide Awake'. We discuss the making of the music video (including that iconic choreography) and how the record label reacted to the commercial performance of...2025-07-2547 min
Can't Stop The PopLet's DanceIn this kingsize episode, Matty and Craig look back at 'Let's Dance', which earned Five their third #1 hit while simultaneously becoming the backdrop to the group's sudden implosion as they split before the single had even left the top 40. There are differing opinions on the song, and a music video that hasn't aged particularly well for several reasons. We also revisit how Five announced their split on MTV just four weeks after releasing their third album, 'Kingsize'...it's not an easy listen. Plus, fans of 'Inspector Gadget' rejoice because we even found time to talk about that, to...2025-07-1821 min
Can't Stop The PopLeave Right NowThis week, Matty and Craig look back at a seminal moment for pop music, when Will Young released Leave Right Now and proved there was life after TV talent shows with a critically and commercially acclaimed second album. We examine the origins of the track and how Eg White began by trying to write a Christmas song for Gareth Gates. We also discuss the single-shot music video and share some quirky chart stats, which saw Leave Right Now almost beaten to the #1 spot in the UK and belatedly enter the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2010. Plus, this was t...2025-07-1123 min
Can't Stop The PopI Turn To YouIn this episode, Matty and Craig hit the Ibiza dancefloor to look back at Melanie C's I Turn To You. The fourth single from the Northern Star album received a remix by Hex Hector, which helped propel it to the top of the charts. We discuss misheard lyrics in the song, an unintentional Jurassic Park reference in the music video, and those all-important stats, which saw Melanie C become the first woman to score a #1 hit as part of a quintet, quartet, duo, and as a solo artist. If you like what we do, please leave...2025-07-0421 min
Can't Stop The PopAll Out Of LoveIn this episode, we're looking back at H & Claire's third (and final) single, All Out Of Love. It's a song that, in many ways, marked a full-circle moment for the duo, reuniting them with a familiar team of Steps songwriters as they prepared to release their debut album. There's so much to discuss, not least a Jumanji-inspired dance break from the music video. Plus, Matty questions whether the track's key change is real, and the evidence against is compelling. Let us know your thoughts on that one...! If you like what we do, please leave a...2025-06-2724 min
Can't Stop The PopCoffee (Feat. Louise Fudge)In this episode, we're joined by Louise Fudge - one third of Supersister - to talk about the group's iconic '00s hit, Coffee. Find out what inspired the lyrics, what the song's got in common with It's Raining Men, and which act were chosen to perform on Top Of The Pops instead of Supersister. We also discuss their recently released Lip Service album, the group's triumphant live comeback at Mighty Hoopla 2025 and what's next for Supersister. We had a latte fun (sorry) recording this one, so we hope you enjoy it! To read about 'C...2025-06-0629 min
Can't Stop The PopPop-Off: Steps vs. S Club (Part 4)Welcome to the fourth and final episode of a special series of Can't Stop The Pop X CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show, where we pit Steps against S Club in an almighty pop-off. Here's how it works: The singles from both acts were paired chronologically from their debut onwards, and we picked our favourite for each round. By this point, we're deep into the S Club Juniors/8-era of the S Club brand, as we compare and discuss: Here and Now vs New DirectionYou'll Be Sorry vs Puppy LoveChain Reacti...2025-04-251h 01
Can't Stop The PopPop-Off: Steps vs. S Club (Part 2)Welcome to the second episode in a special four-part series of Can't Stop The Pop X CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show, where we pit Steps against S Club in an almighty pop-off. Here's how it works: The singles from both acts were paired chronologically from their debut onwards, and we picked our favourite for each round. In this episode, we compare and discuss: Better Best Forgotten vs NaturalLove's Got A Hold On My Heart vs Never Had A Dream Come TrueAfter The Love Has Gone vs Don't Stop Movin'...2025-04-2447 min
Can't Stop The PopAll I Want For Christmas Is YouIt's time... For our Christmas episode, we're celebrating 30 years of All I Want For Christmas Is You and discussing how Mariah Carey's 1994 festive hit has become a perennial chart staple. Among the talking points are the song's origins (and an embarrassing attempt by Craig to pronounce Walter Afanasieff's name), its initial chart success and what's happened in the streaming era, we look back at some iconic live performances, reflect on how the track has become an annual meme, and Matty shares his thoughts on All I Want For Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!) featuring Justin Bieber. ...2024-12-2033 min
Can't Stop The PopPop-Off: Steps vs. S Club (Part 3)Welcome to the third episode in a special four-part series of Can't Stop The Pop X CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show, where we pit Steps against S Club in an almighty pop-off. Here's how it works: The singles from both acts were paired chronologically from their debut onwards, and we picked our favourite for each round. In this episode, S Club pass the baton to S Club Juniors as we compare and discuss: Deeper Shade Of Blue vs AliveWhen I Said Goodbye vs Say GoodbyeSummer Of Love vs Love Ain't...2024-11-2239 min
Can't Stop The PopPop-Off: Steps vs. S Club (Part 1)Welcome to the first episode in a special four-part series of Can't Stop The Pop X CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show, where we pit Steps against S Club in an almighty pop-off. Here's how it works: The singles from both acts were paired chronologically from their debut onwards, and we picked our favourite for each round. In this episode, we compare and discuss: 5, 6, 7, 8 vs Bring It All BackLast Thing On My Mind vs S Club PartyOne For Sorrow vs Two In A MillionHeartbeat vs You're My Number One2024-11-0834 min
Can't Stop The PopLet Your Head GoEasy V doesn't come for free! For our second season finale, we're discussing an artist and a song so seismic that they allegedly brought down an entire record label. It's Victoria Beckham with her dance-pop track, Let Your Head Go. We delve into a complicated situation that resulted in two different albums being recorded (neither of which was officially released), Victoria Beckham's prominent role in relaunching Top Of The Pops, the brilliantly self-deprecating music video for Let Your Head Go and the song's continued absence from streaming platforms. If you like what we do, please lea...2024-07-1222 min
Can't Stop The PopHung Up (Feat. James Rodriguez)It's confessions on a podcast this week as we discuss Madonna's ABBA-sampling smash hit, Hung Up. To help us dissect this behemoth pop song we're joined by a special guest: James Rodriguez, host of The Original Doll. With James' expert knowledge, we delve into the circumstances surrounding the single and why Madonna's tenth studio album - Confessions On A Dancefloor - was such a significant moment in her career. Matty shares his memories of Hung Up and what it means to him as a Madonna fan, while there's an unexpected drag battle revelation from Craig. Ple...2024-07-0549 min
Can't Stop The PopSk8er BoiDude, you wanna crash the mall? Grab your air guitars because, in this episode, Craig and Matty are coming back down to earth to talk about Avril Lavigne's Sk8er Boi. We discuss what it was like to be a teenager when pop-rock took over the charts (think baggy jeans, hoodies and those chains that hung from everyone's pockets) and how Sk8er Boi managed to condense pretty much everything that era represented into a 3½ minute song. Plus, no critique of Avril Lavigne would be complete without acknowledging the enduring conspiracy theory that is...Melissa. If y...2024-06-2819 min
Can't Stop The PopYour Disco Needs YouThis week, Craig and Matty are discussing Your Disco Needs You, the Kylie Minogue song that was allegedly deemed "too gay" to release in the UK. Can Matty talk about one of his favourite artists of all time without going off on a tangent? Almost. We managed to stay focused for long enough to cover the song, the remixes, the incredible vocals and the music video for this intentionally camp Kylie classic. If you like what we do, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts! To read about Your Disco Nee...2024-06-2120 min
Can't Stop The Pop(There's Gotta Be) More To LifeThis week on the podcast, Craig and Matty are stuck on Stacie Orrico, a Christian Contemporary artist who was signed by Virgin Records and launched as a mainstream pop star in the '00s. (There's Gotta Be) More To Life was her second single, and it's flipping brilliant. We discuss the track and the music video (with its many looks, both good and bad). Matty gives an informed, technical analysis of Stacie Orrico's voice, plus, find out which iconic '00s movie Craig has never seen. To read about (There's Gotta Be) More To Life on C...2024-06-1418 min
Can't Stop The PopDon't Say You Love MeWho's that Pokémon? This week, Craig introduces Matty to Don't Say You Love Me by M2M, which is, of course, taken from the official soundtrack to the cinematic masterpiece Pokémon: The First Movie. We discuss the song, the brilliantly '90s/'00s music video (with unnecessary dance breaks aplenty) and what M2M did after Don't Say You Love Me. Plus, find out which were our first ever starter Pokémon. The results are revealing... To read about Don't Say You Love Me on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2020...2024-06-0719 min
Can't Stop The PopMore Than I Needed To KnowTake those lies and let them go (woah, woah) because this week, Matty and Craig are talking about Scooch's top-five hit, More Than I Needed To Know. We discuss how the group was formed and why this was such an important second single for them. Matty is particularly enthused by the music video, while Craig longs to own a promotional Scooch lunchbox. One thing's for four sure: there's rather a lot of grammatical confusion about the title of the group's debut album. To read about More Then I Needed To Know on Can't Stop The Pop...2024-05-3120 min
Can't Stop The PopDay & NightThis week, Matty and Craig take a walk of life as they look back at Day & Night, the lead single from Billie Piper's second album. There's little disputing this as a veritable '00s classic, and while Matty is particularly enthused by the killer double-chorus, Craig is tormented by a launderette sequence in the music video. But behind the general brilliance of the track, Billie Piper wasn't having such a great time as a chart-topping pop star. So, while there's much to celebrate about Day & Night, it also came at a high price... To read a...2024-05-2419 min
Can't Stop The PopHere and Now (Feat. Shaun Kitchener)We've got a steptacular exclusive this week because Matty and Craig are joined by BAFTA Rocliffe-winning, double Offie-nominated Shaun Kitchener, writer of the forthcoming Steps musical: Here & Now. Naturally, we wanted to talk about the song that inspired the title of the show. Released in 2001 as a double-A side with You'll Be Sorry, Here and Now was the final single from the group's third album, Buzz. There might be a few tears on the dancefloor because Matty and Craig had quite different opinions on this one! Plus we talk to Shaun about developing a musical based...2024-05-1743 min
Can't Stop The PopBleeding LoveIn this episode, Matty and Craig take a look back at the track that turned Leona Lewis from the winner of a TV talent show into a bona fide superstar: Bleeding Love. We discuss how the song went from being rejected by Jesse McCartney's record label to becoming one of the biggest global hits of the '00s and even birthed a sub-genre of soundalikes. Plus, there are not one but two music videos to talk about! You can follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast2024-05-1019 min
Can't Stop The PopI Breathe AgainOn the podcast this week, Matty and Craig are revisiting a '90s classic that is like oxygen through our veins: I Breathe Again. We look back at Adam Rickitt's transformation from soap star to pop singer, discuss the general brilliance of the song and look back at the *ahem* rather revealing music video. To read about I Breathe Again on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2019/06/10/adam-rickitt-i-breathe-again/ You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast2024-05-0323 min
Can't Stop The PopIf You Could Read My Mind (Feat. Ultra Naté)Get ready for more ramblings about '90s and '00s pop music because Can't Stop The Pop is back! To kick off this season, we're joined by singer, songwriter, producer, DJ and all-round icon Ultra Naté to discuss If You Could Read My Mind, which she recorded with Amber and Jocelyn Enriquez. Find out what brought three dance divas together to put a disco spin on the '70s Gordon Lightfoot classic. Plus, we talk to Ultra Naté about the global smash hit Free, her latest album Ultra, fabulous hats, favourite cocktails and whose mind s...2024-04-2649 min
Can't Stop The PopSeason 1 RetrospectiveBy popular demand (👀), Matty and Craig are back for a bumper season one retrospective episode. We got together to discuss our highlights of the few months spent recording Can't Stop The Pop and reflect on some of the stuff that has happened to our favourite acts since the episodes were released. Not only is this a feature-length audio episode, but you can also watch us recording on YouTube (yes, we know the chairs are different heights, and Craig keeps staring pensively at the ceiling - it'll be sorted for next time). Check out the Can't Stop...2024-02-0956 min
Can't Stop The PopI Want Your Love [Demo Episode]Boom! Prepare to hear Can't Stop The Pop in its rawest, roughest form with a bonus demo episode exclusive from our podcast archives. Before Can't Stop The Pop became a slick (👀) juggernaut of '90s and '00s reminiscence, Matty and Craig experimented using Atomic Kitten's I Want Your Love. We discussed samples (including one that was removed from later edits of the song), a scrapped spoken interlude and the general chaos that was Atomic Kitten 1.0 Ultimately we decided the episode wasn't quite good enough to use for season one, but the podcast still had potent...2023-12-3022 min
Can't Stop The PopWhat IfIt's a festive season finale for Can't Stop The Pop, so it felt only right for Matty and Craig to discuss the iconic Christmas classic of our time: What If. The debut (and only) single from Kate Winslet is a behemoth of melodramatic balladry recorded for Christmas Carol: The Movie. It duly swept into the top ten, capturing the hearts and minds of '00s pop fans everywhere. We share our thoughts on the song, the music video, and speculate about what direction Kate Winslet's pop career might have taken. You'll also find out what happen...2023-12-1523 min
Can't Stop The PopGotta Tell YouFor the first time this series, Matty and Craig are discussing a song that hasn't (yet) been featured on the site. Gotta Tell You is the debut single from Irish pop sensation Samantha Mumba...and it's a good one! We look at the song, its success in the UK and America, plus Matty decides it wouldn't be right if he didn't tell Craig this tonight by giving a wildly long-winded description of the music video. You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast2023-12-0819 min
Can't Stop The PopPower Rangers™ - The Official SingleIt's Morphin' Time! This week, Matty and Craig are teleporting back to the mid-'90s when Zordon recruited a team of teenagers with attitude to battle the evil space witch, Rita Repulsa. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was everywhere, and never one to miss out on a merchandising opportunity, Simon Cowell concocted the official tie-in single. This morphinominal episode was every bit as chaotic to record as it is to listen to. Aye-yi-yi-yi-yi! You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about Power Rangers™...2023-12-0120 min
Can't Stop The PopSexy! No No No...Matty and Craig are getting all tangled up this week as they talk about the 'Sexy! No No No...', the lead single from Girls Aloud's fourth studio album. There's no disagreement that this is another slice of quality left-field pop music. But was it a bit too avant-garde to capitalise on the success of the group's first greatest hits album or was that the plan all along? You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about Sexy! No No No... on Can't Sto...2023-11-2418 min
Can't Stop The PopLovin' Is EasyThings get a bit more serious this week as Matty and Craig take a look back at Hear'Say's fourth (and final) single: Lovin' Is Easy. Released at a time when it seemed almost everyone wanted to see the group fail, there is a lot to unpack here as the original Popstars implode...with an unnecessary dance break. You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about Lovin' Is Easy on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2020/08/10/hearsay-lovin-is-easy/ 2023-11-1719 min
Can't Stop The PopWhen You're Looking Like ThatIn this episode, Matty and Craig are enthralled by one of Westlife's best songs (it's not even up for debate), which wasn't even *technically* a single in the UK: When You're Looking Like That. There's a questionable attempt to recreate the keyboard riffs from the track, bemusement at the use of the lyric "Bambi eyes" and a disconcerting amount of winking in the music video. You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about When You're Looking Like That on Can't Stop The Pop...2023-11-1021 min
Can't Stop The PopI Won't Change YouIn this week’s episode, Matty and Craig are shooting from the hip. But can Craig convince Matty that I Won't Change You – a song Sophie Ellis-Bextor herself has all but disowned – really isn't that bad? You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about I Won't Change You on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2022/01/10/sophie-ellis-bextor-i-wont-change-you/ 2023-11-0320 min
Can't Stop The PopBorn To Make You HappyIn this episode, Matty and Craig don't know how to live without your love...so take a look at Britney Spears' second UK #1 single: Born To Make You Happy instead. There's plenty to discuss, including questionable lyrics, an almost entirely abandoned video concept, a bonus remix and – of course – plenty of unnecessary choreography. You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about Born To Make You Happy on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2019/01/14/britney-spears-born-to-make-you-happy/ 2023-10-2723 min
Can't Stop The PopAs Long As You Love MeIn this week's episode, Matty and Craig don't care who you are or where you're from as they discuss a Backstreet Boys classic. Craig reveals what happened when he met the group and saw them perform As Long As You Love Me live, while, Matty is once again perplexed at why a mid-tempo pop song needs a fully choreographed dance routine. You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about As Long As You Love Me on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2019/0...2023-10-2020 min
Can't Stop The PopCrazy ChickThis week, Matty and Craig delve into Charlotte Church's pop debut single, Crazy Chick. There isn't much agreement on this one, so expect tissues and issues aplenty. You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about Crazy Chick on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2021/06/21/charlotte-church-crazy-chick/ 2023-10-1319 min
Can't Stop The PopTurn Back TimeIn this week’s episode, Matty and Craig talk Aqua's third – and final – #1 single in the UK: Turn Back Time. Craig shares his confusion after watching Sliding Doors and finding it's not like the music video at all, while Matty discusses a real-life experience of the movie plot when a woman's suitcase gets stuck in the doors of the tube. You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about Turn Back Time on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2019/04/29/aqua-turn-back-time/ 2023-10-0619 min
Can't Stop The PopDeeper Shade Of BlueIn this week’s episode, Matty and Craig are feeling blue…a Deeper Shade Of Blue, in fact. The fourth (or fifth?) single from Steptacular marked a shift in image and sound for Steps. Important notes and embarrassing memories are shared about *that* music video. You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast To read about Deeper Shade Of Blue on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2020/03/30/steps-deeper-shade-of-blue/2023-09-2921 min
Can't Stop The PopIt's Time To Begin...Before the official first episode drops, we (Matty and Craig) recorded what was intended to be a brief introduction to us and the podcast. It ended up overrunning – a recurring theme – as we shared some of our earliest pop music memories. You can also follow us on X: @matkinsactor @cantstoppop, Instagram: @mat_atkins9 @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast Check out www.cantstopthepop.com for hundreds of retro reviews. 2023-09-2220 min