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 "Babyface" Edmonds – who co-wrote the 'pop' version of the song that Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston performed at the ceremony – missed out on an Academy Award for his contribution.

And, while 'When You Believe' wasn't a chart-topping hit for Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, the track did later reach #1 when Leon Jackson released it as his X Factor winner's single. So, we felt compelled to talk about that, too (be warned: strong opinions are expressed).

To read about 'When You Believe' on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2022/12/05/mariah-carey-whitney-houston-when-you-believe/

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on: Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop YouTube: @cantstopthepop

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 TV show, try to work out what the ambition of the project was and vent our frustrations at S Club 8 being thrown under the proverbial bus in such a peculiar manner. Plus, we have the all-important chart stats for both 'Dreaming' and the accompanying album, 'Welcome To Avalon Heights' (brace yourselves for the peak position…).

To read about 'Dreaming' on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2020/11/09/i-dream-frankie-calvin-dreaming/

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on: Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop YouTube: @cantstopthepop

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: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2023/09/04/phixx-hold-on-me/

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can follow Peter Smith on Instagram: @petermsmithofficial and Facebook

You can also follow us on: Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop YouTube: @cantstopthepop

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 Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2020/05/18/louise-naked/

If you like what we do, please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on: Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop YouTube: @cantstopthepop

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 what we do, please make sure there's no bad blood and leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can also follow us on: Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop YouTube: @cantstopthepop

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 answered some listener-submitted questions, including our favourite Steps B-sides, thoughts on Eurovision, any notable misfires and our hopes for the 30th anniversary.

Thank you to Ultimate Steps and Claire Richards Central for co-hosting the event, Banyan Bar & Kitchen at Spinningfields, Manchester, for being such a welcoming venue, and to all the fans who came along to the pre-show event, helping us raise more than £1,000 for charity.

You can follow Can't Stop The Pop at: Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop YouTube: @cantstopthepop

You can follow Glitter & Gold at: Linktree Instagram: @glitterstepspod TikTok: @glitterstepspod

You can follow Ultimate Steps at: Facebook Instagram: @ultimatesteps

You can follow Claire Richards Central at: https://clairerichardscentral.com/ Instagram: @clairerichardscentral

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 Faster' album.

Thank you to the Kings Arms for hosting the event, and everyone who came along to support us. 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 'It's Raining Men' on Can't Stop The Pop: https://www.cantstopthepop.com/2021/04/26/geri-halliwell-its-raining-men/

You can find out more about the Kings Arms, Soho by visiting: https://www.kingsarms-soho.co.uk/london and following them on Instagram: @kingsarms.soho

You can also follow us on: Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop YouTube: @cantstopthepop

In this episode, Matty and Craig bring yesterday back around to discuss the Sugabab-babes' (seriously, what was with the typography for this campaign?) biggest hit: 'About You Now'.

Despite unanimous praise for the song and a consensus that the music video was slightly underwhelming, there are wildly different opinions on what 'About You Now' meant for where the group were at this point, and how it potentially influenced their subsequent career. We also talk about the Miranda Cosgrove version of the track (begrudgingly, in Matty's case), which charted in America. And, of course, no discussion of 'About You Now' would be complete without mentioning that iconic 'Hollyoaks' scene...

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

You can also follow us on: Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop YouTube: @cantstopthepop

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 'Ambitions'.

Joe also talks to us about his subsequent success becoming a triple-reality TV show winner, the inspiration behind his recent material, honouring George Michael's musical legacy and much more.

We hope you enjoy listening to the episode — and discovering what life is like inside and outside the X Factor bubble — as much as we did recording it. If you want even more exclusive Can't Stop The Pop content, head over to Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cantstopthepop

You can follow Joe McElderry on Instagram: @joemcelderryofficial and TikTok: @joemcelderryofficial

You can also follow us on Instagram: @mat_atkins9, @cantstop_thepop and TikTok: @cantstopthepoppodcast, @cantstop_thepop

In 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