Farewell to 2009

The year we said goodbye to the King of Pop and hello to SuBo

The year began in traditional style with 2008’s “X Factor” winner sitting on top of the singles chart.

Alexandra Burke’s version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” had sold more than a million copies by the second week of January.

February was the month of the Grammys. They may take place in America but this year they were dominated by British artists.

Coldplay won three, Robert Plant and musical partner Alison Krauss took home the prestigious Album Of The Year gong, Londoner Adele won Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, while Duffy picked up the Best Pop Vocal Album prize.

In March, U2 released “No Line On The Horizon” but despite heavy press coverage, it was U2’s worst performing record in more than a decade.

On to April, which furthered its reputation as the cruellest month when Susan Boyle sang on “Britain’s Got Talent”.

Mocked by Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan and the audience as she walked out on stage, SuBo then caused a global media frenzy with her extraordinary rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream” from “Les Miserables”.

In May, Girls Aloud, the country’s most successful girl band ever, released their 21st single “Untouchable” but it failed to hit the top 10 casting doubt over their future.

On June 26, as thousands descended on the small village of Pilton in Somerset for the Glastonbury festival, the King of Pop was pronounced dead after a heart attack caused by a cocktail of drugs in his system.

A couple of days later, a reformed Blur took to the Glastonbury stage, rolled back the years and blew the crowds away.

“X Factor” runners-up JLS released their debut single in August and were delighted to see it soar to the top of the charts.

September saw Muse and Jay–Z release new albums and The Beatles entire back catalogue was re-released in digitally remastered form.

The Mercury Prize was also awarded in September and despite hotly tipped nominees in the shape of The Horrors, Florence And The Machine, Kasabian, Glasvegas and Friendly Fires, it was unknown rapper Speech Debelle who clinched the prize.

October’s headlines were dominated by Robbie Williams and his controversial comeback on “X Factor”. Despite his manic eyes and sweaty face, Rob’s new album “Reality Killed The Video Star” went on to sell millions.

Alexandra Burke released her debut album in October shortly before her “X-Factor” mentor Cheryl Cole showed her who’s boss by knocking her off the top spot with “Fight For This Love” — the year’s biggest selling single.

November was the month when Irish twins Jedward were finally booted off “X Factor” after weeks of escaping the chop. The battle for Christmas number one is usually a shoe-in for whoever wins “X Factor” — but not this year.

A fierce internet campaign to get Rage Against The Machine hit “Killing In The Name” to the top spot paid off and “X Factor” winner Joe McElderry was forced to occupy the number two spot for the festive period.