The Story of Pop: 2000 (Chapter 47)

The Story of Pop: 2000. Our weekly series, every Thursday at midday, that recounts the UK chart movers and shakers at the dawn of the 21st century. This week: a chart topper from one of the box office smashes of the year…

Prior to November 2000, US country teen star LeAnn Rimes was best known in the UK for ‘How Do I Live‘, a soaring heartbreak ballad that had spent a whopping 30 week stint inside the UK top 40 during the course of 1998, all whilst never getting as high as #7.

However, another song penned by the legendary US songwriter Diane Warren was to become her biggest hit to date in this very month. ‘Can’t Fight the Moonlight’ was the title theme from the romantic comedy drama film Coyote Ugly.

Starring Piper Perabo and Adam Garcia (and a pre-fame Tyra Banks), it was about a struggling singer-songwriter who seeks fame and fortune in New York whilst working in a bar that could be politely described as a cross between Hooters and The Viper Room, and Rimes herself had a cameo in the film as well.

Despite universal mauling by the critics, the film was a commercial hit (it generated over $113m at the box office) and thus too was the soundtrack, resulting in ‘Can’t Fight the Moonlight’ crowning LeAnn Rimes with her first and to date only UK number one single. It also topped the chart in twelve other countries, including Australia, where it became 2001’s best seller in that territory.

Don’t forget to follow our brand new playlist on Spotify – updated weekly so you never miss a song from the story of pop in 2000. And you can leave your memories of the songs below in the comments or Tweet us, using the hashtag #StoryofPop2000.