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Your support makes all the difference.This list was proposed by Andrew Sentance as a companion list to 'Singles longer than six minutes' (8 February), but Phil Collins pointed out that my favourite, 'But I'm Different Now' by the Jam, 1980, 1 min 49 secs, was never a single. It should have been, so I widened the definition to 'Pop songs (that could have been singles) shorter than two minutes'
1. 'Not Fade Away', The Rolling Stones, 1964, 1 min 47 secs
From Paul Duffy, Devil's Advocate, Ian Moss, Edward Anthony Rayne, Andrew Sentance and Phil Pelling.
2. 'The Letter', the Box Tops, 1967, 1 min 53 secs
Delivered by Andy Cowper and Borderlinefools.
3. 'Breaking Glass', David Bowie, 1977, 1 min 52 secs.
Smashing choice from Paul Duffy.
4. 'Outdoor Miner', Wire, 1978, 1 min 44 secs
From Tom Doran.
5. 'Here Comes the Summer', the Undertones, 1979, 1 min 45 secs
Thanks to Simon Box and Steve Bishop.
6. 'Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want', the Smiths, 1984, 1 min 52 secs
Popular with Ian Moss, Sarah Terry, Adam Huntley and Phil Pelling.
7. 'Velocity Girl', Primal Scream, 1986, 1 min 22 secs
"It is still their best single," says Jem Stone.
8. 'Short Songs', Dead Kennedys, 1987, 27 secs
The lyrics are: "I like short songs [repeat]." Admired by Citizen Sane and Phil Pelling.
9. 'Fell In Love with a Girl', the White Stripes, 2001, 1 min 50 secs
Nominated by Twlldun, who also told me about the terrific Lego video available online.
10. 'Yours and Mine', Fountains of Wayne, 2003, 1 min 2 secs
A new one to me, from Graham Fildes.
Here they are on a Spotify playlist (minus the Dead Kennedys, which isn't on Spotify):
Next week: Characters not originally the star (such as Thomas the Tank Engine)
Coming soon: Nouns that are always plural (including trousers and amends). Send your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, to top10@independent.co.uk
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