They might be small, and they might not have the marketing muscles of the majors, but that doesn’t mean that Indie Labels can’t put out smash hits. Here are ten No.1 singles that were put out on indie labels.

1. Brimful of Asha – Cornershop
This top sitar-tinged dance track, remixed by Fatboy Slim, was released by the tiny punk/dance label Wiija Records.

2. The most beautiful girl in the world T.A.F.K.A.P
When lovesexy pop dwarf Prince was fighting to free himself from his record contract with Warner Brothers, he released this single on his own record label ‘NPG’ under the moniker ‘The Artist Formerly Known As Prince’. It soon rocketed to number one, with a bullet. Oh yes.

3. Pump up the volume by M/A/R/R/S
The first UK No.1 record built from samples, these one-hit wonders were on funky avant-garde indie 4AD.

4. Britney Spears/Backstreet Boys/NSYNC/Steps
All No.1 artists, all signed to Jive Records, which is part of the Zomba Group: the world’s largest independent music company.

5. I Should Be So Lucky - Kylie Mynogue.
Years before Kylie turned into Robbie Williams’ sex muppet, she was the toothsome Sharleen in ‘Neighbours’. Her first single, ‘I Should Be So Lucky’, was written by the Stock, Aitken & Waterman team and released on their own PWL label. Of course, the cuddly Aussie took it straight to No1.

6. Praise You – Fatboy Slim
Everyone’s favourite cuddly DJ is signed to tiny dance label Skint. (Although they’ve now made enough money to sponsor their hometown football club Brighton).

7. Groovejet – Spiller
2000’s biggest-selling dance record was released on indie dance label Positiva. And as everyone knows, singer Sophie Bextor-Ellis’ mum was a Blue Peter presenter – and if that’s not rock ‘n’ roll, what is?

8. 3AM Eternal – KLF
As a parting gesture to the ‘corrupt’ music business, the KLF’s Bill Drummond and Jimmy Caute burned £1 million of real money (their own) on a big bonfire on a Scottish island in front of ranks of the disbelieving world press. A cool way to disband at the height of their fame.

9. The Drugs Don’t Work – The Verve
Released on Hut Recordings, this number one single saw them confirmed as the true pretenders to Oasis’ throne. However, poised on the verge of world domination, they split.

10. Your Woman – White Town
Whilst this No.1 was actually finally released by Chrysalis – a label owned by EMI – the story behind it is pure D.I.Y. Jyoti Mishra (the man who was ‘White Town’) made ‘Your Woman’ in his Derby bedsit on an 8-track cassette recorder for under £100! Proving that the biggest is not always the best.