Throwback Thursday: "I Knew I Loved You" Savage Garden

Back when boy bands ruled the earth, the sensitive Australian twosome of Savage Garden scored a smash with the cheesy pop ballad "I Knew I Loved You." Its soft, swoon-inducing promises of soul mates and eternal love ("I think I dreamed you into life," admits vocalist Darren Hayes) play over a pleasant acoustic guitar-and-percussion loop melody, creating an aura of heavenly splendor—or, at least, a really nice open mic night at the local coffee shop. Looking back from this age of seizure-inducing synths and defensive irony, it's almost hard to believe that such a simple, earnest song (it's even got an epic key change after the middle eight!) could hit the top of the charts. Clearly, one should never underestimate the irresistible power of a little sincerity. B

12 years ago this week, "I Knew I Loved You" was the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100.