The Best of Simon Cowell

Joe writes: For me the litmus test of a TV-related hit single is "Would it have been a hit for an unknown artist who wasn't guaranteed TV exposure?". The answer is emphatically "yes" in the case of my top five Simon Cowell-related releases:

5. Earthquakes - Labrinth feat. Tinie Tempah

Surely the coolest track Simon Cowell has ever touched, despite his slightly cringeworthy namecheck. The moment where a choir of monks sings the chorus a cappella is truly inspired.

4. Keep On Movin' - 5ive

5ive's greatest hit, written by producers Richard "Biff" Stannard and Julian Gallagher, and 5ive members Sean Conlon, Abs Breen and J Brown. Musically, 5ive were a bit more interesting than your average boy band (no Wrong Direction here).

3. Flying Without Wings - Westlife

Written by Wayne Hector and Steve Mac, and it sounds from Wikipedia like it might be another of those songs that came together very quickly. Although Shane Filan out of Westlife is a really good singer, I'd be interested to hear this sung without unnecessary embellishment by a proper soul singer. I'd also love to hear the demo which I assume Wayne Hector sang.

2. Leave Right Now - Will Young

Before it was released, I heard a demo of Will singing this Eg White song. Despite a half-hearted vocal from Will, it sounded wonderful. Will didn't like the song but was eventually persuaded to put his heart into it, and it repaid him, and Eg White, with long careers. I'm not sure Simon Cowell was particularly involved with this process, but still.

1. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis

The single of 2007 and, for me, Simon Cowell's greatest hit (also his biggest I suspect, having gone worldwide). It was written by Jesse McCartney and Ryan Tedder. Ryan Tedder's production is simple but brilliant. Pain + pop = perfection.