Around #50, the energy shifted. Mikey threw in a double-shot of the year's defining export: Boy Bands. Backstreet Boys "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" bled into *NSYNC’s tearjerker, "I Want You Back." The station’s transmitter hummed, sending the harmonized pleas of five guys in matching outfits across the frozen cornfields.
He let the familiar groove play for a few seconds before killing it abruptly. "But we all know what number one is. We’ve known it since September. It’s the fastest-selling single of all time. It’s the song that stopped the world."
: Another chart-topping masterpiece from The Notorious B.I.G., showcasing his unmatched flow right before his passing. The Twin Peaks of 1997: Monumental Records top 100 hits 1997
As the song played, Mikey leaned back and looked at the wall of gold records. 1997 had been a weird year. It was the year rock got sad, pop got spicy, and the world lost a princess.
– Lil' Kim featuring Da Brat, Left Eye, Missy Elliott and Angie Martinez Men in Black – Will Smith Semi-Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind Step by Step – Whitney Houston I Shot the Sheriff – Warren G Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? – Paula Cole Honey – Mariah Carey Every Time I Close My Eyes – Babyface Butta Love – Next Let’s Get Married – Jagged Edge Get It Together – 702 I Wanna Be With You – Mandy Moore Cruisin’ – D'Angelo Pony – Ginuwine C U When U Get There – Coolio featuring 40 Thevz In My Bed – Dru Hill One More Night – Phil Collins Bitch – Meredith Brooks How Come, How Long – Babyface I’ll Be Missing You – Puff Daddy Men in Black – Will Smith Gotham City – R. Kelly Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit – Gina G Look Into My Eyes – Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Building a Mystery – Sarah McLachlan Get It Together – 702 Secret Garden – Bruce Springsteen I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Az Yet Honey – Mariah Carey Midnight at the Oasis – Brand New Heavies I Wanna Be With You – Mandy Moore Quit Playing Games (with My Heart) – Backstreet Boys Every Time I Close My Eyes – Babyface How Do I Live – Trisha Yearwood Mo Money Mo Problems – The Notorious B.I.G. Butta Love – Next Don't Let Go (Love) – En Vogue Sunny Came Home – Shawn Colvin Step by Step – Whitney Houston Smile – Scarface Invisible Man – 98 Degrees Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? – Paula Cole Around #50, the energy shifted
Mikey took a deep breath. He looked at the clock. It was nearly 4:00 AM.
– Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112 Un-Break My Heart – Toni Braxton Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down – Puff Daddy featuring Mase I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly Don’t Let Go (Love) – En Vogue Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison How Do I Live – LeAnn Rimes Wannabe – Spice Girls Quit Playing Games (with My Heart) – Backstreet Boys In My Bed – Dru Hill Say You’ll Be There – Spice Girls Bitch – Meredith Brooks Midnight at the Oasis – Brand New Heavies For You I Will – Monica You Make Me Wanna... – Usher Hypnotize – The Notorious B.I.G. Every Time I Close My Eyes – Babyface Informer – Snow Do You Know (What It Takes) – Robyn 4 Seasons of Loneliness – Boyz II Men G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T. – Changing Faces Honey – Mariah Carey One More Chance / Stay with Me – The Notorious B.I.G. When You Love a Woman – Journey Hard to Say I'm Sorry – Az Yet featuring Peter Cetera He let the familiar groove play for a
Mikey sat in silence as the song played. He thought about the snow outside, the Y2K bug looming on the horizon, and the digital future that was slowly creeping in via dial-up modems.