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Our Top 10 Sugababes Songs list looks at a talented girl group who has been in the music business since the late 1990s. The group changed three times, but the current lineup includes Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy. They have six number one singles. As of now, they are second to the Spice Girls for number one singles. The singles include “Freak Like Me,” “Round Round,” “Hole in the Head,” “Push the Button,” “Walk This Way” and “About You Now.” The group has five UK Top 10 albums. Four of the albums were certified platinum. Their influences were TLC and SWV.
Sugababes formed in 1998. They were originally called The Sugababies. They changed their name to Sugababes when they were signed to a record deal. The group was originally a duo with Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy. Mutya Buena invited her best friend Keisha Buchanan to watch them perform. Their manager wanted her in the group. He liked their different appearances.
Their first single “Overload” peaked at number six on the UK charts. Their debut album One Touch was released in November 2000. The album peaked at number 26 on the UK album charts. It features the singles “Overload,” “New Year,” “Run for Cover” and “Soul Sound.” “New Year,” “Run for Cover” and “Soul Sound” were Top 40 hits. The album sold over 220,000 copies. Even though the album went gold, the label wasn’t happy with their sales. The label ended up dropping the group from their roster.
Unfortunately, getting dropped wasn’t the only drama the group faced. Siobhan Donaghy left the group in August 2001. She wanted to pursue a career in fashion, but she was diagnosed with depression. There were also reports that the members of the group were fighting with each other. Siobhan Donaghy claimed that Keisha Buchanan forced her out of the group. Siobhan Donaghy was replaced by former Atomic Kitten member Heidi Range.
Sugababes were signed to a new label and began working on new material. They released their second album Angels with Dirty Faces in August 2002. The album peaked at number two on the UK album charts. It features the singles “Freak Like Me,” “Round Round,” “Stronger,” “Angels with Dirty Faces” and “Shake.” The album went triple platinum. It’s their highest-selling album to date. Three came out in October 2003. It peaked at number three on the UK album charts. It features the singles “Hole in the Head,” “Too Lost in You,” “In the Middle” and “Caught in a Moment.” “Hole in the Head” is the group’s only US single to date. The album went double platinum.
The trio went through more backstage drama. There were rumors that they were fighting each other. Sugababes denied it. Keisha Buchanan admitted that she and Heidi Range had one disagreement with each other. Despite the rumors, they went back to the studio. They released the album Taller in More Ways. It came out in October 2005. It’s their first number one album. The group was number one on the albums, singles, airplay and download charts simultaneously. They were one of the first girl groups to accomplish this. It features the singles “Push the Button,” “Ugly,” “Red Dress” and “Follow Me Home.” The album went double platinum. Mutya Buena left the group to spend time with her daughter. She was replaced by Amelle Berrabah in 2005.
Change came out in October 2007. The album peaked at number one on the UK albums charts. It features the singles “About You Now,” “Change” and “Denial.” “About You Now” was in the Guinness Book of Records. The album went platinum. Cat Fights and Spotlights was released in October 2008. The album peaked at number eight on the UK album charts. It features the singles “Girls” and “No Can Do.” Sweet Seven dropped in March 2010. It peaked at number 14 on the UK albums charts. The tracks on the album include “Get Sexy,” “About a Girl” and “Where My Kiss.” Keisha Buchanan also left Sugababes. She stated that it wasn’t her choice to leave. She was replaced by Jade Ewen.
The group took a hiatus and then the original lineup reunited. The Lost Tapes was released in December 2022. The album peaked at number 13 on the UK Independent charts. The tracks include “Back to Life,” “Only You” and “Breathe Me.”
Sugababes went through a lot of ups and downs throughout their career. Despite the problems, they managed to find success. The Sugababes have been around for many years during a time when girl groups were waning. There aren’t too many girl groups that stay together anymore so it’s good that they have stayed together despite the member changes. Our Top 10 Sugababes Songs will shine a light on songs that you should check out.
# 10 – Too Lost in You
The 10th song on our Top 10 Sugababes Songs list is “Too Lost in You” from the Three album. The song was released in December 2003. The Diane Warren penned song is about being in love. The feeling takes over your mind. When she looks into her lover’s eyes, she becomes spellbound. It’s hard for her to think, speak or sleep. Love has her feeling powerless. She feels like she’s too lost in him. When she hears her man’s voice it makes her shiver. Love has her going crazy. Despite her fears of what love is doing to her, she can’t break the spell. She is deeply in love with him.
The sweet song describes the complexities of being consumed with love. Love can take over you and you have no control over it. The lyrics explain how powerful love can be. Diane Warren is no stranger to this subject. She has written love songs for decades. She hit a home run with this track. She wrote an emotional song for the group. The track has that familiar pop/rock sound that accompanies Diane Warren’s songs. The guitar and keyboard drive the beat of the track. Sugababes’ vocals are stellar. The group sings the song in three-part harmony. Each member brings something different to the song. “Too Lost in You” is instantly enjoyable.
# 9 – Freak Like Me
The ninth song on our Top 10 Sugababes Songs list is “Freak Like Me” from the Angels with Dirty Faces album. The song came out in April 2002. “Freak Like Me” is about showing off your sexy side and not being ashamed of it. They aren’t shy about their sexy sides. They advise men to do the same with their partners. The group believes it’s important to find someone who could satisfy you. They want freaks in the morning and at night. They need bad boys who will satisfy them. There’s no time for games. Sugababes aren’t pretending to be people they aren’t. The group doesn’t care about what other people think about them. They will always be freaky and don’t care who doesn’t approve of it.
“Freak Like Me” is a song about embracing your sexuality and desires without worrying about being judged. Sugababes encourage you to find someone who can accept this side of you and fulfill your desires. This is a cover of Adina Howard’s hit song. This song is closely linked to Adina Howard so they took a chance covering it. They made changes to their version of the track. The biggest change is with the music.
They sampled the song “Are “Friends” Electric?” by Gary Numan and Twoway Army. Sugababes kept the melody the same, but they used the sample for the music instead of sticking with the original song. Sugababes version sounds like rock and pop. Adina Howard’s version is r&b, soul and hip hop. The group stayed loyal to the way Adina Howard did her phrasing. If the music wasn’t different, it would basically be Karaoke. We like how Sugababes managed to make the song their own without making you forget about Adina Howard’s version.
# 8 – Red Dress
The eighth song on our Top 10 Sugababes Songs list is “Red Dress” from the Taller in More Ways album. The song came out in March 2006. “Red Dress” is about female empowerment. Sugababes want women to assert their independence and be more than just women in red dresses. They talk about a woman who is aware of what she has to offer men.
The woman can use her feminine wilds to get what she wants. She is confident and wants to get a man without using her “red dress” or femininity. She’s been in relationships where she had to jump through hoops to keep her man happy. The woman had enough of it and wanted to claim her independence. She wants her partner to respect her independence. The woman would rather be independent and alone than be in a relationship where she is being disrespected.
“Red Dress” is a song about independence. Sugababes want women to be independent and assert their power and control when it concerns relationships. The song teaches women not to rely on seduction to get what they want. They want you to earn it on your own. We applaud the group for wanting women to be confident. The song has a great message about not using a “red dress” to get what you want. The upbeat jam features a sample of Tony Clarke’s “Landslide.”
The sample gives a song a mix of old school and today’s music. The music is dance friendly. It will have you out of your seat because you will be dancing in no time. This is a song where the chorus and verses are equally good. What we like about Sugababes is that they give each other room to shine on their songs. They don’t have lead singer syndrome in their group. All the members get a turn at the mic.
# 7 – Ugly
The seventh song on our list is “Ugly” from the Taller in More Ways album. The single was released in December 2005. This is a moving song about how judgements and expectations can affect a person’s self-worth. Sugababes share their experiences of growing up and feeling different from people. Mutya Buena talks about people calling her strange when she was little. She felt self-conscious about the way she looked because her eyes and hair were different from everyone else around her. She asked her parents if she was okay, and they told her that she was beautiful the way she was. They told her they wished they had her smile. It made her confidence go up. Her parents made her realize that people were jealous.
In verse two, Keisha Buchanan talks about being shorter than everyone else. People made her feel different. She did things she was ashamed of doing because she didn’t know her body would change. She grew taller than them, but someone will always say something to make themselves feel better. Heidi Range talks about people talking bad about somebody. They don’t care how it affects the other person. The words won’t be forgotten. She feels like they are envious.
“Ugly” is an anthem for people to accept their individuality and reject negativity from others. Sugababes want listeners to be compassionate and kind to others and not judge people based on their looks. We love the fact that they wanted to talk about something like this. This is a subject that never gets old. People will always get judged so this song may lift their spirits. The theme of the song may remind you of TLC’s song “Unpretty” and Christina Aguilera’s song “Beautiful.” It’s a song we didn’t know we needed, but we are thankful to have it. This is a track you can listen to if you want to cheer up after being judged by other people. You can dance to the beat, and it may help uplift your mood. Each member tells a story that will touch your heart. When they come together their harmonies are flawless. This song may be on repeat.
# 6 – Overload
“Overload” is from the Lush Life album. It came out in September 2000. The song is about someone feeling overwhelmed because the person she likes is coming to see her. She thinks about spending time with him and doesn’t want to stop him from coming over. The fear is rising in her because she’s thinking about him coming to see her. Focusing on anything else is becoming difficult for her because she’s overloaded with thoughts of him. She’s not sure what they are going to do when he arrives. The risk is worth taking because she’s attracted to him. In the next verse, she talks about dreaming about him. Fate is on their side. She isn’t sure what’s going to happen because she hasn’t acted on her feelings in a long time. The tension is becoming intense, but she doesn’t want him to say no to her.
We’re shifting gears from the seriousness of our last song to the excitement of a new love. “Overload” captures the anticipation of someone who is excited to see the person she loves. We get butterflies whenever someone we have feelings for shows up so this is a subject most of us understand. Sugababes were teenagers when they recorded this song, but they were able to talk about how it feels to fall in love for the first time. This song is for people of all ages. They are mature enough that you could forget that they are only teenagers singing about this theme. The beat is hypnotic and there are several changes to keep the music interesting. The melody of this song may sound familiar if you are a fan of Christina Aguilera. The melody sounds like Christina Aguilera’s song “Make Over.” The trio sings the song with so much passion. Their beautiful voices are fire. They come alive on this track.
# 5 – Walk This Way ft. Girls Aloud
The next song on our Top 10 Sugababes Songs list is “Walk This Way.” The non-album single was released in March 2007. The song is about the groups’ different experiences with love and sex. They want to talk about their experiences with sex. They want an open communication where they are free to share their experiences with each other. They are basically kissing and telling about what happens in the bedroom. It’s time for people to be more understanding and accept different experiences of love and sex. They also want people to realize there are a variety of ways people can express themselves. They tell their own stories about their experiences. We get to know each story intimately.
This is a cover of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” Their remake puts a different spin on the song because now the story is being told from a female’s point of view instead of a male’s point of view. They changed the song to make it more appropriate for Sugababes and Girls Aloud to sing it. The lyrics are moved around to suit the groups. The melody of the music is sped up to make the song faster than Aerosmith’s version. They kept the important guitar riffs that will let you know that this is Aerosmith’s song. Aerosmith own this song, but the females gave it their all. Sugababes and Girls Aloud proved that two girl groups could sing a song together. It’s a fun track that will put a smile on your face. It may not make you forget Aerosmith’s version, but you can appreciate this one.
# 4 – Hole in the Head
“Hole in the Head” is from the Three album. The song came out in October 2003. A woman who is dealing with a breakup and wants to move on with her life. She does different things to take her mind off him. Distraction is the best way for her to get over him. Her ex-boyfriend can’t get in touch with her because she erased his number from her phone. The breakup made her angry and hurt, but she’s determined not to let her emotions get the better of her. She wants to declare her independence and strength. The singer would rather sell herself than think about her former boyfriend. She finds herself wondering if he misses her. She doesn’t really care if he does miss her because she’s over him. The singer is determined to move on with her life.
“Hole in the Head” is a reflective song about a woman picking up the pieces and moving on with her life. Don’t let the title fool you. The song is about being strong enough to move on with your life. She refuses to let her ex steal her shine. This song is what people need if they are having trouble moving on with their lives. The track is empowering and uplifting. It will teach you that you can take care of yourself. They made the right call by having the music be fast. It will keep you from being depressed when you hear it. The dance beat makes the song sound more empowering. Sugababes sing the song as if it’s personal for them. It’s personal for Keisha Buchanan because she went through a breakup and wanted to write about it. Her experience can help other people move on with their lives.
# 3 – Round Round
Coming in at number three is “Round Round” from the Angels with Dirty Faces album. The song dropped in August 2002. It’s about a woman who is self-sufficient and independent. She doesn’t need a man to have a good time. Her friends are the only ones she needs. She loves spending time with her friends and dancing. The woman is confident in herself and doesn’t need anyone to control her. People try to change her, but it’s not going to happen. She is happy living her life by her own rules. If they hate her, she will prove to them that they won’t break her. They won’t stop her from having a good time. She doesn’t have to explain herself to anyone. They want listeners to hang around people who will support them.
“Round Round” teaches you that you don’t have to rely on anyone to have a good time. On the surface, it may seem like it’s just a song about partying, but that’s not the case. It’s a song about self-reliance and getting happiness from within yourself. It’s a celebratory song with a message. The irresistible beat will make you instantly jump on the floor to dance. The track is radio friendly and still sounds current. It’s a beat that will never get old. The music is addictive without being too loud. It has a great pop beat. The beat slows down during the bridge. You might not see that beat change coming. The changes keep the music from being predictable. The trio sounds fierce in the song. Each member brings her own style to the track, and it works.
# 2 – Push the Button
“Push the Button” is from the Taller in More Ways album. The song came out in September 2005. It’s about a girl who likes someone who isn’t making a move on her. He isn’t showing that he’s interested in her. She keeps giving him hints, but he’s not getting them. She wants him to ask her out, but he’s not doing it. She wants him to kiss her so she can feel his body, but he’s being distant. He isn’t noticing her so she’s wondering how obvious she must be. If he wants to be with her, he must “push the button” and let her know before it’s too late. If he doesn’t let her know, she’s going to move on. He’s going to miss out on what she’s willing to do for him.
“Push the Button” is a relatable song if you have been waiting for someone to approach you. If you’re tired of waiting for the one you want to make a move, let this song be your guide. The production is smooth and slick. Producer Dallas Austin combined electro pop and r&b music excellently. The music sounds like a retro jam. He pays homage to older music while keeping it current.
The track may remind you of something ABBA would have recorded. The music is catchy and addictive. The trio didn’t disappoint us with their vocals. Heidi Range, Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena have incredible range. Their harmonies are wonderful. They practically sound like one person when they come together in the chorus. Keisha Buchanan held a note that was a surprise and it’s a highlight in the song.
# 1 – About You Now
The number one song on our Top 10 Sugababes Songs list is “About You Now” from the Change album. The single came out in September 2007. The regretful song is about losing someone you love and wanting to make things right. She admits to lying to her man. She wasn’t strong enough to hold on to him. He was the only one who understood her. Nothing compared to the love they shared. Things changed, but her feelings for him didn’t change. She still loves him. She yearns to bring yesterday back and have another chance with him. The woman would love one more opportunity to prove her love for him. It’s hard for her to move on from him. Everything she tried failed to win him over. She realizes he’s the one she’s meant to be with and can’t imagine life without him. She’s not perfect, but her love for him is real.
“About You Now” is a poignant love song about a woman lamenting about the love she lost. The lyrics show a vulnerable side. It’s about owning up to your mistakes. It’s hard to move on from someone when you know you’re still in love with them. This song describes that feeling perfectly. The song infuses pop, rock and dance music. Songs like this are usually ballads, but the ladies went in a different direction. They wanted to make you dance as well as think. The pulsating beat will blow your mind. Keisha Buchanan, Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah sound great on this song. The chorus is infectious, and you might catch yourself singing along with them. Once you hear the track it will be an instant favorite.
Top 10 Sugababes Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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