Dannii Minogue vs. Flower Power – You Won't Forget About Me
Can't Stop The Pop
Get your vibe on because Can't Stop The Pop is back for a new year-long series of monthly episodes, and where better place to start than with Dannii Minogue vs. Flower Power’s mid-‘00s anthem, ‘You Won’t Forget About Me’. Matty and Craig explore how the track represented a timely evolution of the ‘Neon Nights’ formula and marked a new era for Dannii Minogue’s career as she signed with All Around The World (AATW). Yet, despite high expectations commercially, the fallout of what actually happened when the single was released, and the subsequent stop-start album(s) campaign...
info_outline
Spice Girls – Viva Forever
Can't Stop The Pop
It’s the season three finale of Can't Stop The Pop, and as befitting such an occasion, we’re looking back at ‘Viva Forever’ by the Spice Girls. Matty and Craig reflect on how this – the fourth single from the ‘Spiceworld’ album – marked the end of the group’s imperial era as Geri Halliwell quit. We examine what makes the song so sonically and structurally different from any other Spice Girls ballad, how the surrounding context elevated its impact and offer interpretations of the music video featuring those infamously creepy fairies. Matty also gives a thorough critique...
info_outline
Goldfrapp – Ooh La La
Can't Stop The Pop
Things take a supernatural turn in this episode of Can't Stop The Pop as Matty and Craig discuss Goldfrapp’s 2005 hit, ‘Ooh La La’. We examine how the duo’s sound evolved from their earlier material, resulting in a breakthrough that propelled them to new commercial heights and helped shape the charts. It seems only fitting that in approaching the work of such a creative, diverse act, the episode contains tangential references to Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, 19th-century poetry, Rachel Stevens and a well-known Soho sauna. But it’s all (mostly) relevant to contextualise...
info_outline
Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston – When You Believe
Can't Stop The Pop
In this episode of Can't Stop The Pop, two divas join forces to deliver a vocal masterclass as Matty and Craig discuss Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston’s superstar duet: ‘When You Believe’. We look at the manufactured rivalry between the two singers and how their duet for the soundtrack to the animated movie ‘The Prince Of Egypt’ was an almost inconceivable prospect in the ‘90s. There’s some convincingly technical discussion about how their voices complement one another both on the track and in the live performances. Plus, we get into the Oscars drama where Kenneth...
info_outline
I Dream (Feat. Frankie and Calvin) – Dreaming
Can't Stop The Pop
The S Club bandwagon comes to a crashing halt in this episode of Can't Stop The Pop as we look back at the bizarre turn of events that was I Dream. Find out what happens when you merge S Club 8 with five additional aspiring singers/actors, cast them all in a TV show and then release a single featuring just two members of the group. It’s fair to say that Matty and Craig have very different opinions on the resulting product that was ‘Dreaming (Feat. Frankie and Calvin)’. As well as the song itself, we discuss the muddled marketing for I Dream, share some first impressions of the...
info_outline
Phixx – Hold On Me (Feat. Peter Smith)
Can't Stop The Pop
In this episode, Matty and Craig revisit the electrophonic revolution that was Phixx and their very '80s, very (homo)erotic debut single: 'Hold On Me'. We're joined by Peter Smith from the group to discuss his dramatic exit from Popstars: The Rivals, how the sound and image for Phixx came together and what went wrong with One True Voice. In a brutally honest interview, Peter also reveals the truth about his experience in the music industry, his departure from the group and what he's been up to since. To read about 'Hold On Me' on Can't Stop The Pop: If you like what we do, please...
info_outline
Louise – Naked
Can't Stop The Pop
We feel your lips, your fingertips...in this episode of Can't Stop The Pop, Matty and Craig are revisiting 1996 when Louise released her third solo single, 'Naked'. This is one of those perfect songs that gets everything right in terms of sound, production, styling and visuals. In fact, Craig declares one moment as his favourite in any pop track...ever! And what on earth has Peppa Pig got to do with 'Naked'? Listen to find out how the anthropomorphic piglet landed herself a lawsuit from the songwriters for copyright infringement. Yes, really. To read about 'Naked' on Can't Stop The...
info_outline
Taylor Swift – Love Story
Can't Stop The Pop
Are you…ready for it? In this episode, sparks fly as Matty and Craig discuss Taylor Swift’s breakthrough (and, for several years, only) hit in the UK: ‘Love Story’. Join us as we look back at the lead single from the ‘Fearless’ album, a music video that left us both enchanted and a relentless promotional campaign that went out of the woods to include appearances on The Paul O’Grady Show and Loose Women. After running through some crazier chart stats, Matty and Craig each name their favourite Taylor Swift song, plus there’s some overdue exoneration for ‘Me!’ If you like...
info_outline
Glitter & Gold vs Can't Stop The Pop – Live In Manchester
Can't Stop The Pop
Presenting Glitter & Gold vs Can't Stop The Pop – LIVE! This special episode was recorded live at the Here & Now Gala Night pre-show fan event on September 4th 2025, as we set out to determine our favourite Steps single. The rules were simple (after Craig explained them several times): every Steps single* went head-to-head, with the winner staying on until each podcast was left with their favourite. Then it was down to the audience to choose between them and declare the ultimate Steps single. Which song won? Listen to find out. Craig, Matty, Shane and Brad also...
info_outline
Geri Halliwell – It's Raining Men (Live at the Kings Arms for London Pride 2025)
Can't Stop The Pop
Presenting Can't Stop The Pop...LIVE! On July 2nd, 2025, we hosted our first live podcast at the Kings Arms in Soho as part of the London Pride celebrations. For this very special occasion, we discussed 'It's Raining Men' by Geri Halliwell, and in this episode, you can hear the audio from the event. We talk about Geri Halliwell's interpretation of the song for the soundtrack to Bridget Jones' Diary (and some of the adjustments from the original), the music video, which has nothing to do with the movie, the chart stats, and Craig rants about the concept of the 'Scream If You Wanna Go...
info_outlineIn 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, too!
If you like what we do, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop
To read about 'Let's Dance' on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2021/08/09/five-lets-dance/
You can also follow us on:
Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop
TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop
YouTube: @cantstopthepop