Singles
-------
To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely 
nowhere to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes 
only the 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.

New Entries/Climbers
--------------------
Top 10 : Maroon 5 #2, Snow Patrol #4, Hellogoodbye #5, Booty Luv #10
Top 20 : Mutya #11, Cribs #17, Biffy Clyro #19
Top 30 : Sophie E-B #23, Verka Seduchka #28
Top 40 : CSS #39

New outside the top 40 : Mumm-Ra #41, Willy Mason #52, Pigeon Detectives 
#55, N-Dubz #57, Kaiser Chiefs #61

McFly equalled the biggest ever fall from #1, by dropping all the way to 
#20. :)

Albums
------
Linkin Park easily claim their 2nd #1 album

NE's (top 20) : Rufus Wainwright #2, FFAF #3, Joe Cocker #9, Amerie #17

New outside the top 20 : Megadeth #23, Maccabees #24, Wilco #39, Bucks 
Fizz #40, Pink Martini #47, Runrig #61, Bobby Valentino #68, Battles 
#70, Tom McRae #72.

Katherine Jenkins climbed 123 places to #135, thanks to her Emmerdale 
appearance. :)

Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
Surely Rihanna again.

Top 10 : Mutya
Top 20 : Infernal, Kaiser Chiefs, R Kelly
Top 30 : Pigeon Detectives
Top 40 : Dizzee Rascal, Armand Van Helden

Albums
------
Maroon 5 look odds-on to take the #1 spot.

Top 20 NE : Cribs, Erasure, Hellogoodbye, Johnny Cash
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:YH2zD0B$cJUGFwQL@blueyonder.co.uk...
> Singles
> -------
> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely nowhere 
> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only the 
> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.

And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on a 
chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.

> New Entries/Climbers
> --------------------
> Top 10 : Maroon 5 #2,

Although there's only one physical format everything else about this single 
seems meticulously designed for maximum commercial potential, from the 
production right down to that gratuitous swearing in the chorus so you'll 
take them seriously.
It's sort of nice to see it pipped at the post.

>Snow Patrol #4,

The theme song from the new Spider-Man film; it's overlong, ill-conceived 
and sounds like it was made for the money. And apparently the film's a bit 
of a let-down too.
However, it does give them their highest-charting single to date, perhaps 
because it's not on one of their albums.

>Hellogoodbye #5,

Normally, I would be making suggestions like "If you have to name yourself 
after a Beatles song, why not one of the good ones?" but to be honest, this 
band could do with concentrating on more pressing issues like making records 
that aren't shite.
It seems to me that it's instructive about the poor quality of most radio in 
the US that over there, this has not only been a hit but been acclaimed as 
some sort of breakthrough, despite the fact that it sounds like the sort of 
thing Daft Punk were doing ten years ago and even that was retro.

> Booty Luv #10

They claim to have covered this song because they were such big fans of it 
(and not, in any way, because the Luther version was a big club hit that 
didn't do so well chartwise) and yet they sing it as if they've never heard 
it before.

> Top 20 : Mutya #11,

Out on CDs and 12" 28th May, which is a bit later than I thought it was 
originally planned for.

>Cribs #17,

First single from the fraternal trio's third album, produced by Alex 
Kapranos. You can sort of tell, especially on the chorus.

> Biffy Clyro #19

The new single 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies' adds to their 
litany of really terrible song titles.
The record itself at least gets some credit in my book for being so 
ludicrously (knowingly) over the top.

> Top 30 : Sophie E-B #23,

In trying to avoid the mistake they made by releasing the download of 'Catch 
You' too early, Polydor seem to have made exactly the opposite mistake. Mind 
you, it would have helped if the track they were releasing was a bit more 
convincing. Assuming no further progress, this is her lowest-charting single 
since theaudience made their Top 40 debut with 'A Pessimist Is Never 
Disappointed' back in 1998.
Connection time - apart from the obvious fact they were both lead singers of 
bands who went solo, what does she have in common with Richard Ashcroft?

> Verka Seduchka #28

Ukraine's Eurovision entry this year and something of a favourite although 
"she" had to settle for second place.
I believe (by which I mean that somebody said it on the Internet and I 
haven't noticed anyone contradicting it) that this is the first non-winning 
Eurovision song from overseas to enter the UK chart since 1974. 
Disappointingly, it seems to be largely in English and German so we must 
still await the UK's first Ukranian-language Top 40 single, although of 
course the Wedding Present had a Top 40 album in that tongue in 1989.

> Top 40 : CSS #39

Unless I'm vastly mistaken, aand I sometimes am, this makes them the first 
Brazillian act to have a Top 40 single here since Sergio Mendez last year.
It's still not been quite the hit it could have been, but I people may have 
found it a little bit too self-consciously quirky. And the chorus doesn't 
scan.
BTW, it turns out that the format I described earlier as a 7" is in fact an 
8" square disc of red vinyl.

> New outside the top 40 : Mumm-Ra #41,

I'm often suspicous of bands with such determinedly quirky names, and three 
singles in this band haven't really disabused me of that suspicion.
The tune reminds me slightly of an old Wedding Present track called 'Real 
Thing', but I think that's a coincidence.

> Willy Mason #52,

Featuring KT Tunstall in the same way that 'Everyday Is A Winding Road' was 
by Sheryl Crow Featuring Neil Finn.
Otherwise it sounds a lot like Eric Clapton's Unplugged version of Layla.

>Pigeon Detectives #55,

Out tomorrow on CD & 7"s.

>N-Dubz #57,

Some sort of Electro/hip-hop nonsense made by people who look like they're 
auditioning for an Aqua tribute band.

> Kaiser Chiefs #61

Out tomorrow on CD & 7".
I wonder whether 'Ruby' climbed this week because people don't like this 
one? ;-)

The chart I'm looking at also lists Mims as a new entry. Presumably it's 
changed labels or something.

> McFly equalled the biggest ever fall from #1, by dropping all the way to 
> #20. :)

And as that record was set by a limited-edition Elvis single, this could be 
called the biggest ever drop in demand. A pity in a way, as it's not their 
worst single.

> Albums
> ------
> Linkin Park easily claim their 2nd #1 album

Has anyone read a more depressing start to a sentence this week than "Linkin 
Park, one of the biggest-selling bands of the 21st century..."
Back they are anyway, with only their third proper album.

> NE's (top 20) : Rufus Wainwright #2,

Now the first member of his family to enjoy a Top 10 album in the UK just 
over thirty years after his mother and aunt Kate & Anna McGarrigle enjoyed 
their one Top 40 LP here.
Although Rufus was born in the United States, he was apparently raised 
largely in Canada and is AIUI a Canadian citizen, so adding to the 
remarkable amount of music from that nation in recent album charts.
The record itself credits Neil Tennant as "Executive Producer".

>FFAF #3,

Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are 
parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.

> Joe Cocker #9,

The Sheffield man's twentieth studio album finds him working with producer 
Ethan Johns, better know for his work with Kings Of Leon, and the results 
are certainly an improvement on the "drunken karaoke" of his last charting 
album, Respect Yourself. The "single" 'Just Pass It On' is IMO one of the 
best things he's ever done, although his rendition of 'You Haven't Done 
Nothin'' is less convincing.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it gives him his highest chart position since 
1994.

> Amerie #17

Doing relatively well considering the relative underperformance of the 
single.

> New outside the top 20 : Megadeth #23,

It would seem that Dave Mustaine is so proud of the title United 
Abominations that he's been bragging about it since August last year.
Meanwhile, he's found enough spare time in between suing ex-members of the 
band to put together a new album, which includes a re-recording of their 
1994 song 'A Tout Le Monde' as a duet with Christina Scabbia.

>Maccabees #24,

Much-loved London newcomers with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned 
last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now, 
which might have depressed this week's sales a little.

> Wilco #39,

Sixth studio album from Jeff Tweedy and his various sidemen. Apparently 
something of a return to basics for them after the experimental A Ghost Is 
Born album.
It lands one place shy of their all-time best chart position. That was 
achieved by 1999's album Summerteeth, which also spawned their only chart 
single.

> Bucks Fizz #40,

Roughly in time for Eurovision, a best-of collection which assembles all 18 
of their Top 50 hits from both labels, omitting only a couple of tracks that 
peaked at 57.
Strangely, the only songs I can actually remember are 'Making Your Mind Up', 
'Piece Of The Action', 'The Land Of Make Believe' (the first three tracks on 
here) and their version of 'Love The One You're With'.
It says here that Cheryl Baker's real name is Rita Crudgington.

>Pink Martini #47,

12-piece retro ensemble from Portland Oregon who managed to build a big cult 
following, hence the chart debut of this third album.

>Runrig #61,

Veteran Scottish roots rockers with their umpteenth album. Some reviewers at 
Amazon are complaining that the band are doing more promo in Denmark than 
the UK.

> Bobby Valentino #68,

Doing remarkably well for an RnB album with no single.

>Battles #70,

US math-rock group with their long-awaited debut album. Also a rare example 
of a guitar-led album, albeit an unconventional one, on Warp records.
Not the same band as Battle.

> Tom McRae #72.

The once Brit-Award nominated singer-songwriter finally issue a fourth 
album, his first for new label V2.
With the hype that surrounded him earlier in his career not having paid off, 
this has been released to very little fanfare, and several weeks late to 
boot.

> Katherine Jenkins climbed 123 places to #135, thanks to her Emmerdale 
> appearance. :)

I'm told by people who watch that sort of nonsense that it was an especially 
pivotal episode too, which must have helped.
There's a similar-sized climb for Simply Red, who've been on the promo 
circuit.
And McFly re-enter at 14 with a Deluxe re-issue of Motion In The Ocean which 
adds 'Baby's Coming Back' (and reinstates 'Don't Stop Me Now') as well as 
adding a full-length DVD. Which is pretty good value if you like McFly.

> Next Week
> ---------
> Singles
> -------
> Surely Rihanna again.

Yes, especially without any very big new releases.

> Top 10 : Mutya

Wouldn't take much, obviously.

> Top 20 : Infernal,

Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them just 
outside the 20.

> Kaiser Chiefs,

Possible that they could scrape into the Top 10. But I would be reluctant to 
stake money on it.

>R Kelly

Seems logical, even though I haven't heard it.

> Top 30 : Pigeon Detectives

That would put it behind their previous single, which I don't find very 
plausible. Top 15 at least, I reckon.

> Top 40 : Dizzee Rascal,

His big comeback single, so it might go a *little* higher. But I don't 
expect him to have another really big hit.

>Armand Van Helden

Possibly, although the physical's not out until the 28th, is it?

The Tim Deluxe record has picked up some play too, even though it features 
one of the Audiobullys and is therefore rubbish.

> Albums
> ------
> Maroon 5 look odds-on to take the #1 spot.

Pretty hard to escape.

> Top 20 NE : Cribs,

Not a big album act before, but they're clearly on an upswing.

>Erasure,

Their last two albums peaked at 27 and, er, 102. I'm guessing this will be 
nearer the former than the latter, but it's a month since the single so any 
effect that could have had will have evaporated.

> Hellogoodbye,

Very difficult to tell whether anyone wants a whole album of this. It's got 
to be possible that calling it Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! will 
put people off.

> Johnny Cash

This is one of those best-of-volume-2 releases, though. So most of the 
tracks that casual buyers would be interested in were on the first one.

However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time. And Richard Allinson claimed on 
Radio 2 that Sophie Ellis-Bextor had pre-sold 75k of her album, but I'm not 
sure I believe him.

    Chris
-- 
"It's always hard meeting your heroes. Especially when they punch you in the 
face."

http://thehitparade.blogspot.com

More of my blathering is available at
http://faynights.users.btopenworld.com

In uk.music.charts on Sun, 20 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :

>> Singles
>> -------
>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely nowhere
>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only the
>> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.
>
>And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on a
>chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.

Does *anyone* know why he is credited?
>
>> New Entries/Climbers
>> --------------------
>> Top 10 : Maroon 5 #2,
>
>Although there's only one physical format everything else about this single
>seems meticulously designed for maximum commercial potential, from the
>production right down to that gratuitous swearing in the chorus so you'll
>take them seriously.

>It's sort of nice to see it pipped at the post.

More than 'pipped' - they were well beaten, in the end.
>
>>Snow Patrol #4,
>
>The theme song from the new Spider-Man film; it's overlong, ill-conceived
>and sounds like it was made for the money. And apparently the film's a bit
>of a let-down too.
>However, it does give them their highest-charting single to date, perhaps
>because it's not on one of their albums.

Yet...
>
>> Top 20 : Mutya #11,
>
>Out on CDs and 12" 28th May, which is a bit later than I thought it was
>originally planned for.

So it'll stall next week, with maybe a climb to top 5 the week after.
>
>>Cribs #17,
>
>First single from the fraternal trio's third album, produced by Alex
>Kapranos. You can sort of tell, especially on the chorus.

I was surprised this didn't slip much during the week.

Talking of not slipping much : MSP fell *only* another 8 places - now 4 
weeks in the top 30, and counting...

Only two of their singles managed longer :

'A Design For Life' 6w, & 'If You Tolerate This...' 5w.
>
>> Biffy Clyro #19
>
>The new single 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies' adds to their
>litany of really terrible song titles.
>The record itself at least gets some credit in my book for being so
>ludicrously (knowingly) over the top.

This went AWOL from the Thursday mids, so I'd forgotten about it.
>
>> Verka Seduchka #28
>
>Ukraine's Eurovision entry this year and something of a favourite although
>"she" had to settle for second place.

Why the quotes?
>
>> New outside the top 40 :
>
>>Pigeon Detectives #55,
>
>Out tomorrow on CD & 7"s.

Top 75 just on downloads isn't bad, though.
>
>> Kaiser Chiefs #61
>
>Out tomorrow on CD & 7".
>I wonder whether 'Ruby' climbed this week because people don't like this
>one? ;-)

Rather a low position for them, just one week short of full release.
>
>The chart I'm looking at also lists Mims as a new entry. Presumably it's
>changed labels or something.

Or the description was just a mistake.
>
>> McFly equalled the biggest ever fall from #1, by dropping all the way to
>> #20. :)
>
>And as that record was set by a limited-edition Elvis single, this could be
>called the biggest ever drop in demand. A pity in a way, as it's not their
>worst single.

Who could tell, anyway? :)
>
>> Albums
>> ------
>> Linkin Park easily claim their 2nd #1 album
>
>Has anyone read a more depressing start to a sentence this week than "Linkin
>Park, one of the biggest-selling bands of the 21st century..."
>Back they are anyway, with only their third proper album.

How many improper ones, then? :)
>
>> NE's (top 20) :
>
>>FFAF #3,
>
>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.

I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>
>> New outside the top 20 :
>
>>Maccabees #24,
>
>Much-loved London newcomers

Not *that* much, apparently...

> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now,
>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.

Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.
>
>> Bucks Fizz #40,

>Strangely, the only songs I can actually remember are 'Making Your Mind Up',
>'Piece Of The Action', 'The Land Of Make Believe' (the first three tracks on
>here) and their version of 'Love The One You're With'.

I'd suggest you'd repressed the others, except that that begs the 
question of why you hadn't repressed the above songs as well... :)
>
>>Battles #70,
>
>US math-rock

What the hell is 'math-rock'?

> group with their long-awaited debut album.
>
>> Katherine Jenkins climbed 123 places to #135, thanks to her Emmerdale
>> appearance. :)
>
>I'm told by people who watch that sort of nonsense that it was an especially
>pivotal episode too, which must have helped.

I dare say her other albums may have charted outside the top 75, too.

>And McFly re-enter at 14 with a Deluxe re-issue of Motion In The Ocean

I'm sure all the 'untreated sewage' jokes have already been done...

> which
>adds 'Baby's Coming Back' (and reinstates 'Don't Stop Me Now') as well as
>adding a full-length DVD. Which is pretty good value if you like McFly.

Try finding someone who'll admit to it, though. :)
>
>> Next Week
>> ---------
>> Singles
>> -------
>
>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>
>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them just
>outside the 20.

I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.
>
>> Kaiser Chiefs,
>
>Possible that they could scrape into the Top 10. But I would be reluctant to
>stake money on it.

I doubt it, from down in the 60's.
>
>>R Kelly
>
>Seems logical, even though I haven't heard it.

I've locked out the three specifically urban-genre channels on my Sky 
box, so there's less chance of me hearing it. :)
>
>> Top 40 : Dizzee Rascal,
>
>His big comeback single, so it might go a *little* higher.

Not with sod-all publicity, though.
>
>> Albums
>> ------
>> Maroon 5 look odds-on to take the #1 spot.
>
>Pretty hard to escape.

No realistic challengers.
>
>> Top 20 NE : Cribs,
>
>Not a big album act before, but they're clearly on an upswing.

Plus you currently need under 10k for a top 20 place.
>
>> Hellogoodbye,
>
>Very difficult to tell whether anyone wants a whole album of this.

I think that about a lot of bands. :)
>
>This is one of those best-of-volume-2 releases, though. So most of the
>tracks that casual buyers would be interested in were on the first one.
>
>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time. And Richard Allinson claimed on
>Radio 2 that Sophie Ellis-Bextor had pre-sold 75k of her album

Are you sure that wasn't 75 *copies*? :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

On Mon, 21 May 2007 08:19:52 퍝, Paul Hyett  wrote:

> In uk.music.charts on Sun, 20 May 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely nowhere
>>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only the
>>> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.
>>
>> And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on a
>> chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.
>
> Does *anyone* know why he is credited?
>>

There are two versions of the track. One where he does a rap at the beginning
of the song and one where he doesn't. I guess most radio stations have chosen
to play the Jay-Zless version. You can hear his contribution  on YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3OOAvLD5Cc

Fred X

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:gcxN1FEj4TUGFw29@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Sun, 20 May 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely 
>>> nowhere
>>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only 
>>> the
>>> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.
>>
>>And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on 
>>a
>>chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.
>
> Does *anyone* know why he is credited?

Other posters have given the answer I expected - there's a version with him 
as well as the one without. But unlike previous cases it seems to be the one 
without him that's getting the bulk of the airplay.

>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>> --------------------
>>> Top 10 : Maroon 5 #2,
>>
>>Although there's only one physical format everything else about this 
>>single
>>seems meticulously designed for maximum commercial potential, from the
>>production right down to that gratuitous swearing in the chorus so you'll
>>take them seriously.
>
>>It's sort of nice to see it pipped at the post.
>
> More than 'pipped' - they were well beaten, in the end.

Yes, but what I meant was that this has been building up for weeks, and it's 
only in the last few days that it got beaten.

>>>Snow Patrol #4,
>>
>>The theme song from the new Spider-Man film; it's overlong, ill-conceived
>>and sounds like it was made for the money. And apparently the film's a bit
>>of a let-down too.
>>However, it does give them their highest-charting single to date, perhaps
>>because it's not on one of their albums.
>
> Yet...

Presumably when we get the Greatest Hits album it will be on there, but all 
their previous Top 40 singles were already on albums except 'You're All I 
Have' and even that was only released physically one week before the album.

>>> Top 20 : Mutya #11,
>>
>>Out on CDs and 12" 28th May, which is a bit later than I thought it was
>>originally planned for.
>
> So it'll stall next week, with maybe a climb to top 5 the week after.

Presumably.

>>>Cribs #17,
>>
>>First single from the fraternal trio's third album, produced by Alex
>>Kapranos. You can sort of tell, especially on the chorus.
>
> I was surprised this didn't slip much during the week.

Good point. I hadn't really thought of that.

>>> Verka Seduchka #28
>>
>>Ukraine's Eurovision entry this year and something of a favourite although
>>"she" had to settle for second place.
>
> Why the quotes?

Verka is a drag queen. I can't remember the bloke's real name.

>>> New outside the top 40 :
>>
>>>Pigeon Detectives #55,
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CD & 7"s.
>
> Top 75 just on downloads isn't bad, though.

Indeed not, especially when the song isn't up to much.

>>> Kaiser Chiefs #61
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CD & 7".
>>I wonder whether 'Ruby' climbed this week because people don't like this
>>one? ;-)
>
> Rather a low position for them, just one week short of full release.

Yes, I noticed that. Obviously this couldn't compete with 'Ruby' because 
it's on a successful album; but I remember 'I Predict A Riot' going Top 40 
before it was re-issued.

    Chris

>>The chart I'm looking at also lists Mims as a new entry. Presumably it's
>>changed labels or something.
>
> Or the description was just a mistake.
>>
>>> McFly equalled the biggest ever fall from #1, by dropping all the way to
>>> #20. :)
>>
>>And as that record was set by a limited-edition Elvis single, this could 
>>be
>>called the biggest ever drop in demand. A pity in a way, as it's not their
>>worst single.
>
> Who could tell, anyway? :)
>>
>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Linkin Park easily claim their 2nd #1 album
>>
>>Has anyone read a more depressing start to a sentence this week than 
>>"Linkin
>>Park, one of the biggest-selling bands of the 21st century..."
>>Back they are anyway, with only their third proper album.
>
> How many improper ones, then? :)
>>
>>> NE's (top 20) :
>>
>>>FFAF #3,
>>
>>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.
>
> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>>
>>> New outside the top 20 :
>>
>>>Maccabees #24,
>>
>>Much-loved London newcomers
>
> Not *that* much, apparently...
>
>> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now,
>>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.
>
> Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.
>>
>>> Bucks Fizz #40,
>
>>Strangely, the only songs I can actually remember are 'Making Your Mind 
>>Up',
>>'Piece Of The Action', 'The Land Of Make Believe' (the first three tracks 
>>on
>>here) and their version of 'Love The One You're With'.
>
> I'd suggest you'd repressed the others, except that that begs the question 
> of why you hadn't repressed the above songs as well... :)
>>
>>>Battles #70,
>>
>>US math-rock
>
> What the hell is 'math-rock'?
>
>> group with their long-awaited debut album.
>>
>>> Katherine Jenkins climbed 123 places to #135, thanks to her Emmerdale
>>> appearance. :)
>>
>>I'm told by people who watch that sort of nonsense that it was an 
>>especially
>>pivotal episode too, which must have helped.
>
> I dare say her other albums may have charted outside the top 75, too.
>
>>And McFly re-enter at 14 with a Deluxe re-issue of Motion In The Ocean
>
> I'm sure all the 'untreated sewage' jokes have already been done...
>
>> which
>>adds 'Baby's Coming Back' (and reinstates 'Don't Stop Me Now') as well as
>>adding a full-length DVD. Which is pretty good value if you like McFly.
>
> Try finding someone who'll admit to it, though. :)
>>
>>> Next Week
>>> ---------
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>
>>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>>
>>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them 
>>just
>>outside the 20.
>
> I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.
>>
>>> Kaiser Chiefs,
>>
>>Possible that they could scrape into the Top 10. But I would be reluctant 
>>to
>>stake money on it.
>
> I doubt it, from down in the 60's.
>>
>>>R Kelly
>>
>>Seems logical, even though I haven't heard it.
>
> I've locked out the three specifically urban-genre channels on my Sky box, 
> so there's less chance of me hearing it. :)
>>
>>> Top 40 : Dizzee Rascal,
>>
>>His big comeback single, so it might go a *little* higher.
>
> Not with sod-all publicity, though.
>>
>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Maroon 5 look odds-on to take the #1 spot.
>>
>>Pretty hard to escape.
>
> No realistic challengers.
>>
>>> Top 20 NE : Cribs,
>>
>>Not a big album act before, but they're clearly on an upswing.
>
> Plus you currently need under 10k for a top 20 place.
>>
>>> Hellogoodbye,
>>
>>Very difficult to tell whether anyone wants a whole album of this.
>
> I think that about a lot of bands. :)
>>
>>This is one of those best-of-volume-2 releases, though. So most of the
>>tracks that casual buyers would be interested in were on the first one.
>>
>>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time. And Richard Allinson claimed on
>>Radio 2 that Sophie Ellis-Bextor had pre-sold 75k of her album
>
> Are you sure that wasn't 75 *copies*? :)
> -- 
> Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:gcxN1FEj4TUGFw29@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Sun, 20 May 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :

Sorry, peaked a bit early there.

>>The chart I'm looking at also lists Mims as a new entry. Presumably it's
>>changed labels or something.
>
> Or the description was just a mistake.

That's the other possibility.

>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Linkin Park easily claim their 2nd #1 album
>>
>>Back they are anyway, with only their third proper album.
>
> How many improper ones, then? :)

All of them, if you ask me.
But I was seperating those three from the live album, the remix album and 
the Jay-Z collaboration (him again!).

>>> NE's (top 20) :
>>
>>>FFAF #3,
>>
>>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.
>
> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.

I tend to draw the line at 11. But there are some exceptional albums that I 
allow to break that rule.
In any case, I don't think this album would be improved by more songs.

>>> New outside the top 20 :
>>
>>>Maccabees #24,
>>
>>Much-loved London newcomers
>
> Not *that* much, apparently...

On the contrary - ISTM that they are much loved, but not necessarily by very 
many people.

>> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now,
>>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.
>
> Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.

I thought digital albums weren't counted until the physical release? But 
you're right it probably wouldn't have anyway.

>>>Battles #70,
>>
>>US math-rock
>
> What the hell is 'math-rock'?

I was hoping you weren't going to ask me that. ;-)
It's a sort of experimental rock music, I guess. I think it gets the name 
because of the use of unusual time signatures and so on, but I might be way 
off there.

>>And McFly re-enter at 14 with a Deluxe re-issue of Motion In The Ocean
>
> I'm sure all the 'untreated sewage' jokes have already been done...

I think I did them all the first time it came out.

>>> Next Week
>>> ---------
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>
>>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>>
>>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them 
>>just
>>outside the 20.
>
> I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.

So am I.
I'm less than confident about this one though.

>>> Kaiser Chiefs,
>>
>>Possible that they could scrape into the Top 10. But I would be reluctant 
>>to
>>stake money on it.
>
> I doubt it, from down in the 60's.

I tend to doubt it as well.

>>> Top 40 : Dizzee Rascal,
>>
>>His big comeback single, so it might go a *little* higher.
>
> Not with sod-all publicity, though.

Probably not, although I don't remember 'Stand Up Tall' having any either 
and that turned out to be his biggest hit.

>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Hellogoodbye,
>>
>>Very difficult to tell whether anyone wants a whole album of this.
>
> I think that about a lot of bands. :)

I often wonder *why* they do, but wondering *whether* is a bit less common.
Perhaps it's just the band's name that makes them look like a 
one-hit-wonder. ;-)

>>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time. And Richard Allinson claimed on
>>Radio 2 that Sophie Ellis-Bextor had pre-sold 75k of her album
>
> Are you sure that wasn't 75 *copies*? :)

This is why I didn't believe him. I'm not sure she did either.
It may have shipped 75k, but that's not quite the same thing.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 21 May 2007, Fred X  
wrote :
>>
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely nowhere
>>>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only the
>>>> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.
>>>
>>> And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on a
>>> chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.
>>
>> Does *anyone* know why he is credited?
>>>
>There are two versions of the track. One where he does a rap at the beginning
>of the song and one where he doesn't. I guess most radio stations have chosen
>to play the Jay-Zless version.

Most British radio stations, anyway. Smart move IMO - rap doesn't carry 
anything like the same weight as it does in America.

>You can hear his contribution  on YouTube.
>
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3OOAvLD5Cc

I'll take your word for it. :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 21 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely
>>>> nowhere
>>>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot.

>>>Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on
>>>a
>>>chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.
>>
>> Does *anyone* know why he is credited?
>
>Other posters have given the answer I expected - there's a version with him
>as well as the one without. But unlike previous cases it seems to be the one
>without him that's getting the bulk of the airplay.

Since I've only heard it via the video, I'm glad to say I haven't heard 
the Jay-Z version at all. :)

That raises an interesting question - since it is the non-rap version 
that people are hearing & buying, then surely only Rihanna should be 
credited?
>
>>>> Verka Seduchka #28
>>>
>>>Ukraine's Eurovision entry this year and something of a favourite although
>>>"she" had to settle for second place.
>>
>> Why the quotes?
>
>Verka is a drag queen.

The I'm even more glad I didn't watch it - drag acts make my skin crawl. 
:(
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 21 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>
>Sorry, peaked a bit early there.

I wondered what happened.
>
>>>> Albums
>>>> ------
>>>> NE's (top 20) :
>>>
>>>>FFAF #3,
>>>
>>>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>>>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.
>>
>> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>
>I tend to draw the line at 11. But there are some exceptional albums that I
>allow to break that rule.

True - Dido's 'Life For Rent' only had 11.
>
>>> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>>>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now,
>>>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.
>>
>> Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.
>
>I thought digital albums weren't counted until the physical release?

I'm not sure about that - but since they do for singles, why not for 
albums?
>
>>>> Next Week
>>>> ---------
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>
>>>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>>>
>>>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them
>>>just
>>>outside the 20.
>>
>> I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.
>
>So am I.
>I'm less than confident about this one though.

Didn't look for the CD yesterday - spent ages waiting for a haircut, and 
was in a rush after that.
>
>>>> Albums
>>>> ------
>>>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time.

Is she a classical artist?
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:HXP0XiGY2oUGFwDX@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Mon, 21 May 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>>
>>Sorry, peaked a bit early there.
>
> I wondered what happened.

I got a bit distracted and signed the post, so instinctively hit the send 
button. My bad.

>>>>> Albums
>>>>> ------
>>>>> NE's (top 20) :
>>>>
>>>>>FFAF #3,
>>>>
>>>>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>>>>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.
>>>
>>> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>>
>>I tend to draw the line at 11. But there are some exceptional albums that 
>>I
>>allow to break that rule.
>
> True - Dido's 'Life For Rent' only had 11.

I have to admit that wasn't one of the ones I had in mind, but I would say 
there were certain albums that were so complete at ten or even nine tracks 
that I can't object. Conversely, there are a load of albums that are so lame 
the last thing you want is more of them.

>>>> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>>>>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks 
>>>>now,
>>>>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.
>>>
>>> Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.
>>
>>I thought digital albums weren't counted until the physical release?
>
> I'm not sure about that - but since they do for singles, why not for 
> albums?

Probably because there's no drive from the record companies to do so.

>>>>> Next Week
>>>>> ---------
>>>>> Singles
>>>>> -------
>>>>
>>>>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>>>>
>>>>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them
>>>>just
>>>>outside the 20.
>>>
>>> I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.
>>
>>So am I.
>>I'm less than confident about this one though.
>
> Didn't look for the CD yesterday - spent ages waiting for a haircut, and 
> was in a rush after that.

I didn't look for it either, funnily enough. I know Woolworths aren't 
selling it.

>>>>> Albums
>>>>> ------
>>>>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time.
>
> Is she a classical artist?

More jazz, really.

    Chris

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:LnL3bLGLwoUGFwBz@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Mon, 21 May 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>>>
>>>>> Singles
>>>>> -------
>>>>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely
>>>>> nowhere
>>>>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot.
>
>>>>Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on
>>>>a
>>>>chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.
>>>
>>> Does *anyone* know why he is credited?
>>
>>Other posters have given the answer I expected - there's a version with
>>him
>>as well as the one without. But unlike previous cases it seems to be the
>>one
>>without him that's getting the bulk of the airplay.
>
> Since I've only heard it via the video, I'm glad to say I haven't heard
> the Jay-Z version at all. :)

Presumably they've produced two edits of the video as well.

> That raises an interesting question - since it is the non-rap version that
> people are hearing & buying, then surely only Rihanna should be credited?

In chart terms at least it doesn't seem to work that way: there are all 
kinds of obvious precedents, from 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' to 
'Amarillo'. And obviously there are lots of people who appear on records 
without being credited.

>>>>> Verka Seduchka #28
>>>>
>>>>Ukraine's Eurovision entry this year and something of a favourite
>>>>although
>>>>"she" had to settle for second place.
>>>
>>> Why the quotes?
>>
>>Verka is a drag queen.
>
> The I'm even more glad I didn't watch it - drag acts make my skin crawl.
> :(

I shan't ask.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Tue, 22 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>>>
>>>> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>>>
>>>I tend to draw the line at 11. But there are some exceptional albums that
>>>I
>>>allow to break that rule.
>>
>> True - Dido's 'Life For Rent' only had 11.
>
>I have to admit that wasn't one of the ones I had in mind, but I would say
>there were certain albums that were so complete at ten or even nine tracks
>that I can't object.

Some even with two - like Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'... :)
>>>
>>>I thought digital albums weren't counted until the physical release?
>>
>> I'm not sure about that - but since they do for singles, why not for
>> albums?
>
>Probably because there's no drive from the record companies to do so.

Then why bother to release them early digitally in the first place?
>
>>>>>> Next Week
>>>>>> ---------
>>>>>> Singles
>>>>>> -------
>>>>>
>>>>>>Infernal,
>>
>> Didn't look for the CD yesterday - spent ages waiting for a haircut, and
>> was in a rush after that.
>
>I didn't look for it either, funnily enough. I know Woolworths aren't
>selling it.

Well, given that the stocked loads of the 'Bel's Boys' single - it 
doesn't say much for their choice of singles... :)
>
>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>> ------
>>>>>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time.
>>
>> Is she a classical artist?
>
>More jazz, really.
>
I don't recall hearing her outside of the Classic FM channel, though.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:vyDueJEr09UGFwUg@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Tue, 22 May 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>>>>>
>>>>> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>>>>
>>>>I tend to draw the line at 11. But there are some exceptional albums 
>>>>that
>>>>I
>>>>allow to break that rule.
>>>
>>> True - Dido's 'Life For Rent' only had 11.
>>
>>I have to admit that wasn't one of the ones I had in mind, but I would say
>>there were certain albums that were so complete at ten or even nine tracks
>>that I can't object.
>
> Some even with two - like Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'... :)

I was talking about good albums though.

>>>>I thought digital albums weren't counted until the physical release?
>>>
>>> I'm not sure about that - but since they do for singles, why not for
>>> albums?
>>
>>Probably because there's no drive from the record companies to do so.
>
> Then why bother to release them early digitally in the first place?

I presume they're just trying it as an experiment (this being the same 
record company that did the same with the Just Jack album last year) and to 
try and see how many they can sell that way.

>>>>>>> Next Week
>>>>>>> ---------
>>>>>>> Singles
>>>>>>> -------
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Infernal,
>>>
>>> Didn't look for the CD yesterday - spent ages waiting for a haircut, and
>>> was in a rush after that.
>>
>>I didn't look for it either, funnily enough. I know Woolworths aren't
>>selling it.
>
> Well, given that the stocked loads of the 'Bel's Boys' single - it doesn't 
> say much for their choice of singles... :)

Indeed not, for all that their sales aren't necessarily typical of the whole 
country.

>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time.
>>>
>>> Is she a classical artist?
>>
>>More jazz, really.
>>
> I don't recall hearing her outside of the Classic FM channel, though.

Where else would you hear her though?
She does present a programme on Radio 2 every week.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Wed, 23 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>>
>>>I have to admit that wasn't one of the ones I had in mind, but I would say
>>>there were certain albums that were so complete at ten or even nine tracks
>>>that I can't object.
>>
>> Some even with two - like Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'... :)
>
>I was talking about good albums though.

So was I... :)
>
>>>>>>>> Next Week
>>>>>>>> ---------
>>>>>>>> Singles
>>>>>>>> -------
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Infernal,
>>>>
>>>> Didn't look for the CD yesterday - spent ages waiting for a haircut, and
>>>> was in a rush after that.

I did look for it yesterday - and couldn't find it anywhere. :(
>>>
>>>I didn't look for it either, funnily enough. I know Woolworths aren't
>>>selling it.
>>
>> Well, given that the stocked loads of the 'Bel's Boys' single - it doesn't
>> say much for their choice of singles... :)
>
>Indeed not, for all that their sales aren't necessarily typical of the whole
>country.

Boy bands aren't as popular as they once were, with the possible except 
of Take That. I notice their new single is called 'I'd Wait For Life' - 
preferably *without* the possibility of parole! :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

On 20 May, 21:19, "Chris Brown"  wrote:
> > Bucks Fizz #40,
>
> Roughly in time forEurovision, a best-of collection which assembles all 18
> of their Top 50 hits from both labels, omitting only a couple of tracks that
> peaked at 57.
> Strangely, the only songs I can actually remember are 'Making Your Mind Up',
> 'Piece Of The Action', 'The Land Of Make Believe' (the first three tracks on
> here) and their version of 'Love The One You're With'.
> It says here that Cheryl Baker's real name is Rita Crudgington.

Celebrity Stage Name Real Name
50 Cent  Curtis Jackson
Adam Ant  Stuart Leslie Goddard
Adam Faith  Terence Nelhams
Alice Cooper  Vincent Damon Furnier
Anna Nicole Smith  Vickie Lynn Hogan
Axl Rose  William Bailey
Barbara Windsor  Barbara-Ann Deeks
Barry Manilow  Barry Alan Pinkus
Benny Hill  Alfred Hawthorne Hill
Bez  Mark Berry
Big Daddy  Shirley Crabtree
Bill Wyman  William Perks
Billy Idol  William Broad
Billy Ocean  Leslie Sabastian Charles
Bing Crosby  Harry Lillis Crosby
Bob Dylan  Robert Allen Zimmerman
Bono  Paul Hewson
Boy George  George O Dowd
Brigette Bardot  Camille Javal
Buddy Holly  Charles Hardin Holley
Carmen Electra  Tara Patrick
Charlie Sheen  Carlos Irwin Estevez
Charlton Heston  John Charles Carter
Cher  Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPiere
Cheryl Baker  Rita Crudgington
Chris De Burgh  Christopher Davidson
Cilla Black  Priscilla White
Cliff Richard  Harry Webb
Crystal Gayle Brenda Gail Webb
David Bowie  David Robert Jones
David Copperfield  David Kotkin
David Essex  David Albert Cook
David Jason  David John White
David Tennant  David McDonald
David Walliams David Williams
Demi Moore  Demetria Gene Guynes
Diana Ross  Diane Earle
Dido  Florian Cloud de Bounevialle Armstrong
DJ Jazzy Jeff  Jeffrey Townes
Elle Macpherson  Eleanor Gow
Elton John  Reginald Dwight
Elvis Costello  Declan Mcmanus
Eminem  Marshall Bruce Mathers III
Englebert Humperdinck  Arnold George Dorsey
(Gerry Dorsey was an earlier stage name)
Eric Clapton  Eric Clapp
Frank Skinner  Chris Collins
Freddie Mercury  Farrokh Bulsara
Freddie Starr  Freddie Powell
Gary Glitter  Paul Gadd
Gary Numan  Gary Webb
Gene Wilder  Jerome Silberman
George Michael  Georgios Panaylotou
George Orwell  Eric Blair
Gloria Estefan  Gloria Fajardo
Goldie  Clifford Price
Harry Houdini  Erich Weiss
Hulk Hogan  Terry Bollea
Janet Street Porter  Janet Bull
Jennifer Aniston  Jennifer Anastassakis
Joe Strummer John Graham Mellor
John Cleese  John Cheese
John Wayne  Marion Morrison
Jordan  Katie Price
Kenny Everett  Maurice Cole
Lulu  Marie Lawrie
Madonna  Madonna Louise Ciccone
Marilyn Manson  Brian Warner
Marilyn Monroe  Norma Baker
Meatloaf  Marvin Aday
Meg Ryan  Margaret Hyra
Mel Gibson  Columcille Gibson
Michael Barrymore  Michael Parker
Michael Caine  Maurice Micklewhite
Michael Crawford  Michael Dumble-Smith
Moby  Richard Melville Hall
Mos Def Dante Terrell Smith
Natalie Portman  Natalie Hershlag
Neil Diamond  Noah Kaminsky
Nicolas Cage  Nicolas Coppola
Nina Ricci  Maria Nielli
Nina Simone  Eunice Wayman
Omar Sharif  Michael Shalhoub
Ozzy Osbourne  John Osbourne
Paul McCartney  James Paul McCartney
Pink  Alecia Moore
Prince  Prince Nelson
Ralph Lauren  Ralph Lipschitz
Ricky Martin  Enrique Morales
Ringo Starr  Richard Starkey
Robert Palmer  Alan Batley
Russ Abbot  Russell Roberts
Seal  Sealhenry Samuel
Shakin Stevens  Michael Barratt
Snoop Doggy Dogg  Calvin Broadus
Spike Milligan  Terence Alan Milligan
Stevie Wonder  born Steveland Judkins
changed to Steveland Morris
Stewart Granger  James Lablanche Stewart
Sting  Gordon Sumner
Suggs  Graham Mc Pherson
The Edge  David Evans
Tiger Woods  Eldrick Woods
Tina Turner  Anna Bullock
Tom Cruise  Thomas Cruise Mapother IV
Twiggy  Lesley Hornby
Vanilla Ice  Robert Van Winkle
Vic Reeves  Jim Moir
Vin Diesel  Mark Vincent
Whoopi Goldberg  Caryn Johnson
Woody Allen  Allen Konigsberg

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:tNtex2EW5SVGFwOU@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Wed, 23 May 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>>>>
>>>>I have to admit that wasn't one of the ones I had in mind, but I would
>>>>say
>>>>there were certain albums that were so complete at ten or even nine
>>>>tracks
>>>>that I can't object.
>>>
>>> Some even with two - like Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'... :)
>>
>>I was talking about good albums though.
>
> So was I... :)

Come to think of it, isn't that actually supposed to be one song in two 
parts?

>>>>>>>>> Next Week
>>>>>>>>> ---------
>>>>>>>>> Singles
>>>>>>>>> -------
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Infernal,
>>>>>
>>>>> Didn't look for the CD yesterday - spent ages waiting for a haircut,
>>>>> and
>>>>> was in a rush after that.
>
> I did look for it yesterday - and couldn't find it anywhere. :(

Even I had a quick look today, and didn't spot a copy.
Some people have been saying on the web that it was hard to find too.

> Boy bands aren't as popular as they once were, with the possible except of
> Take That. I notice their new single is called 'I'd Wait For Life' -
> preferably *without* the possibility of parole! :)

Take That are surely the only boy band who are more popular than they once 
were - if only because they've pretty much departed the boy band market. 
Apart from them, there's really only McFly and Westlife left isn't there?

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Thu, 24 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>>>
>>>> Some even with two - like Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'... :)
>>>
>>>I was talking about good albums though.
>>
>> So was I... :)
>
>Come to think of it, isn't that actually supposed to be one song in two
>parts?

That is now Nero treated it when I ripped the CD.

>>>>>>>>>>Infernal,
>>
>> I did look for it yesterday - and couldn't find it anywhere. :(
>
>Even I had a quick look today, and didn't spot a copy.
>Some people have been saying on the web that it was hard to find too.

I've a horrible feeling that it'll be the 3rd single this year I've 
*wanted* to buy (on CD), but have been unable to.
>
>> Boy bands aren't as popular as they once were, with the possible except of
>> Take That. I notice their new single is called 'I'd Wait For Life' -
>> preferably *without* the possibility of parole! :)
>
>Take That are surely the only boy band who are more popular than they once
>were - if only because they've pretty much departed the boy band market.

They're closer to 'geriatric band' than 'boy band' now, anyway - at 
least in musical terms.
>
>Apart from them, there's really only McFly and Westlife left isn't there?

At least McFly do tend to write their own material, though. I consider 
original shit slightly better than the covered variety... :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:fEFCzQJ1SoVGFwJ+@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Thu, 24 May 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>>>>>
>>>>> Some even with two - like Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'... :)
>>>>
>>>>I was talking about good albums though.
>>>
>>> So was I... :)
>>
>>Come to think of it, isn't that actually supposed to be one song in two
>>parts?
>
> That is now Nero treated it when I ripped the CD.

Into tiny little shreds, I hope... ;)

>>>>>>>>>>>Infernal,
>>>
>>> I did look for it yesterday - and couldn't find it anywhere. :(
>>
>>Even I had a quick look today, and didn't spot a copy.
>>Some people have been saying on the web that it was hard to find too.
>
> I've a horrible feeling that it'll be the 3rd single this year I've 
> *wanted* to buy (on CD), but have been unable to.

HMV online are now listing the single as "deleted", so either they've 
already sold every copy they had or Universal gave up at the last minute.

>>> Boy bands aren't as popular as they once were, with the possible except 
>>> of
>>> Take That. I notice their new single is called 'I'd Wait For Life' -
>>> preferably *without* the possibility of parole! :)
>>
>>Take That are surely the only boy band who are more popular than they once
>>were - if only because they've pretty much departed the boy band market.
>
> They're closer to 'geriatric band' than 'boy band' now, anyway - at least 
> in musical terms.

This is sort of what I had in mind - they've really moved over to the MOR 
market now, although that possibly says more about the business than about 
them.

>>Apart from them, there's really only McFly and Westlife left isn't there?
>
> At least McFly do tend to write their own material, though. I consider 
> original shit slightly better than the covered variety... :)

As I said last time, though, hearing Westlife's original songs could well 
put you off that view. I agree that Infernal's original song was better than 
their cover though.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Fri, 25 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'... :)
>>>
>>>Come to think of it, isn't that actually supposed to be one song in two
>>>parts?
>>
>> That is now Nero treated it when I ripped the CD.
>
>Into tiny little shreds, I hope... ;)

On a side issue, Mike Oldfield's 'Moonlight Shadow' is one of my all 
time favourite singles, though nowadays it would surely be listed as 
'Mike Oldfield ft Maggie Reilly' since she does all the singing.
>
>>>>>>>>>>>>Infernal,
>>>>
>>>> I did look for it yesterday - and couldn't find it anywhere. :(
>>>
>>>Even I had a quick look today, and didn't spot a copy.
>>>Some people have been saying on the web that it was hard to find too.
>>
>> I've a horrible feeling that it'll be the 3rd single this year I've
>> *wanted* to buy (on CD), but have been unable to.
>
>HMV online are now listing the single as "deleted", so either they've
>already sold every copy they had or Universal gave up at the last minute.

If that's the case, the demise of CD singles is really starting to piss 
me off - that'd be the 3rd song this year I've *wanted* to buy on CD, 
but have been unable to. :(
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:WyYguDEDP9VGFw79@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Fri, 25 May 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'... :)
>>>>
>>>>Come to think of it, isn't that actually supposed to be one song in two
>>>>parts?
>>>
>>> That is now Nero treated it when I ripped the CD.
>>
>>Into tiny little shreds, I hope... ;)
>
> On a side issue, Mike Oldfield's 'Moonlight Shadow' is one of my all time
> favourite singles, though nowadays it would surely be listed as 'Mike
> Oldfield ft Maggie Reilly' since she does all the singing.

Although that was no less true at the time I suppose.
Certainly, it's better than it would have been had he sung it himself...

Perhaps I shouldn't be so mean to Mike Oldfield.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Infernal,
>>>>>
>>>>> I did look for it yesterday - and couldn't find it anywhere. :(
>>>>
>>>>Even I had a quick look today, and didn't spot a copy.
>>>>Some people have been saying on the web that it was hard to find too.
>>>
>>> I've a horrible feeling that it'll be the 3rd single this year I've
>>> *wanted* to buy (on CD), but have been unable to.
>>
>>HMV online are now listing the single as "deleted", so either they've
>>already sold every copy they had or Universal gave up at the last minute.
>
> If that's the case, the demise of CD singles is really starting to piss me
> off - that'd be the 3rd song this year I've *wanted* to buy on CD, but
> have been unable to. :(

In either case, Universal presumably didn't think enough people wanted to 
buy it on CD to make it worthwhile.
There doesn't seem to be a 12" either, which is more surprising.

    Chris

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:YH2zD0B$cJUGFwQL@blueyonder.co.uk...
> Singles
> -------
> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely nowhere 
> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only the 
> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.

And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on a 
chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.

> New Entries/Climbers
> --------------------
> Top 10 : Maroon 5 #2,

Although there's only one physical format everything else about this single 
seems meticulously designed for maximum commercial potential, from the 
production right down to that gratuitous swearing in the chorus so you'll 
take them seriously.
It's sort of nice to see it pipped at the post.

>Snow Patrol #4,

The theme song from the new Spider-Man film; it's overlong, ill-conceived 
and sounds like it was made for the money. And apparently the film's a bit 
of a let-down too.
However, it does give them their highest-charting single to date, perhaps 
because it's not on one of their albums.

>Hellogoodbye #5,

Normally, I would be making suggestions like "If you have to name yourself 
after a Beatles song, why not one of the good ones?" but to be honest, this 
band could do with concentrating on more pressing issues like making records 
that aren't shite.
It seems to me that it's instructive about the poor quality of most radio in 
the US that over there, this has not only been a hit but been acclaimed as 
some sort of breakthrough, despite the fact that it sounds like the sort of 
thing Daft Punk were doing ten years ago and even that was retro.

> Booty Luv #10

They claim to have covered this song because they were such big fans of it 
(and not, in any way, because the Luther version was a big club hit that 
didn't do so well chartwise) and yet they sing it as if they've never heard 
it before.

> Top 20 : Mutya #11,

Out on CDs and 12" 28th May, which is a bit later than I thought it was 
originally planned for.

>Cribs #17,

First single from the fraternal trio's third album, produced by Alex 
Kapranos. You can sort of tell, especially on the chorus.

> Biffy Clyro #19

The new single 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies' adds to their 
litany of really terrible song titles.
The record itself at least gets some credit in my book for being so 
ludicrously (knowingly) over the top.

> Top 30 : Sophie E-B #23,

In trying to avoid the mistake they made by releasing the download of 'Catch 
You' too early, Polydor seem to have made exactly the opposite mistake. Mind 
you, it would have helped if the track they were releasing was a bit more 
convincing. Assuming no further progress, this is her lowest-charting single 
since theaudience made their Top 40 debut with 'A Pessimist Is Never 
Disappointed' back in 1998.
Connection time - apart from the obvious fact they were both lead singers of 
bands who went solo, what does she have in common with Richard Ashcroft?

> Verka Seduchka #28

Ukraine's Eurovision entry this year and something of a favourite although 
"she" had to settle for second place.
I believe (by which I mean that somebody said it on the Internet and I 
haven't noticed anyone contradicting it) that this is the first non-winning 
Eurovision song from overseas to enter the UK chart since 1974. 
Disappointingly, it seems to be largely in English and German so we must 
still await the UK's first Ukranian-language Top 40 single, although of 
course the Wedding Present had a Top 40 album in that tongue in 1989.

> Top 40 : CSS #39

Unless I'm vastly mistaken, aand I sometimes am, this makes them the first 
Brazillian act to have a Top 40 single here since Sergio Mendez last year.
It's still not been quite the hit it could have been, but I people may have 
found it a little bit too self-consciously quirky. And the chorus doesn't 
scan.
BTW, it turns out that the format I described earlier as a 7" is in fact an 
8" square disc of red vinyl.

> New outside the top 40 : Mumm-Ra #41,

I'm often suspicous of bands with such determinedly quirky names, and three 
singles in this band haven't really disabused me of that suspicion.
The tune reminds me slightly of an old Wedding Present track called 'Real 
Thing', but I think that's a coincidence.

> Willy Mason #52,

Featuring KT Tunstall in the same way that 'Everyday Is A Winding Road' was 
by Sheryl Crow Featuring Neil Finn.
Otherwise it sounds a lot like Eric Clapton's Unplugged version of Layla.

>Pigeon Detectives #55,

Out tomorrow on CD & 7"s.

>N-Dubz #57,

Some sort of Electro/hip-hop nonsense made by people who look like they're 
auditioning for an Aqua tribute band.

> Kaiser Chiefs #61

Out tomorrow on CD & 7".
I wonder whether 'Ruby' climbed this week because people don't like this 
one? ;-)

The chart I'm looking at also lists Mims as a new entry. Presumably it's 
changed labels or something.

> McFly equalled the biggest ever fall from #1, by dropping all the way to 
> #20. :)

And as that record was set by a limited-edition Elvis single, this could be 
called the biggest ever drop in demand. A pity in a way, as it's not their 
worst single.

> Albums
> ------
> Linkin Park easily claim their 2nd #1 album

Has anyone read a more depressing start to a sentence this week than "Linkin 
Park, one of the biggest-selling bands of the 21st century..."
Back they are anyway, with only their third proper album.

> NE's (top 20) : Rufus Wainwright #2,

Now the first member of his family to enjoy a Top 10 album in the UK just 
over thirty years after his mother and aunt Kate & Anna McGarrigle enjoyed 
their one Top 40 LP here.
Although Rufus was born in the United States, he was apparently raised 
largely in Canada and is AIUI a Canadian citizen, so adding to the 
remarkable amount of music from that nation in recent album charts.
The record itself credits Neil Tennant as "Executive Producer".

>FFAF #3,

Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are 
parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.

> Joe Cocker #9,

The Sheffield man's twentieth studio album finds him working with producer 
Ethan Johns, better know for his work with Kings Of Leon, and the results 
are certainly an improvement on the "drunken karaoke" of his last charting 
album, Respect Yourself. The "single" 'Just Pass It On' is IMO one of the 
best things he's ever done, although his rendition of 'You Haven't Done 
Nothin'' is less convincing.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it gives him his highest chart position since 
1994.

> Amerie #17

Doing relatively well considering the relative underperformance of the 
single.

> New outside the top 20 : Megadeth #23,

It would seem that Dave Mustaine is so proud of the title United 
Abominations that he's been bragging about it since August last year.
Meanwhile, he's found enough spare time in between suing ex-members of the 
band to put together a new album, which includes a re-recording of their 
1994 song 'A Tout Le Monde' as a duet with Christina Scabbia.

>Maccabees #24,

Much-loved London newcomers with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned 
last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now, 
which might have depressed this week's sales a little.

> Wilco #39,

Sixth studio album from Jeff Tweedy and his various sidemen. Apparently 
something of a return to basics for them after the experimental A Ghost Is 
Born album.
It lands one place shy of their all-time best chart position. That was 
achieved by 1999's album Summerteeth, which also spawned their only chart 
single.

> Bucks Fizz #40,

Roughly in time for Eurovision, a best-of collection which assembles all 18 
of their Top 50 hits from both labels, omitting only a couple of tracks that 
peaked at 57.
Strangely, the only songs I can actually remember are 'Making Your Mind Up', 
'Piece Of The Action', 'The Land Of Make Believe' (the first three tracks on 
here) and their version of 'Love The One You're With'.
It says here that Cheryl Baker's real name is Rita Crudgington.

>Pink Martini #47,

12-piece retro ensemble from Portland Oregon who managed to build a big cult 
following, hence the chart debut of this third album.

>Runrig #61,

Veteran Scottish roots rockers with their umpteenth album. Some reviewers at 
Amazon are complaining that the band are doing more promo in Denmark than 
the UK.

> Bobby Valentino #68,

Doing remarkably well for an RnB album with no single.

>Battles #70,

US math-rock group with their long-awaited debut album. Also a rare example 
of a guitar-led album, albeit an unconventional one, on Warp records.
Not the same band as Battle.

> Tom McRae #72.

The once Brit-Award nominated singer-songwriter finally issue a fourth 
album, his first for new label V2.
With the hype that surrounded him earlier in his career not having paid off, 
this has been released to very little fanfare, and several weeks late to 
boot.

> Katherine Jenkins climbed 123 places to #135, thanks to her Emmerdale 
> appearance. :)

I'm told by people who watch that sort of nonsense that it was an especially 
pivotal episode too, which must have helped.
There's a similar-sized climb for Simply Red, who've been on the promo 
circuit.
And McFly re-enter at 14 with a Deluxe re-issue of Motion In The Ocean which 
adds 'Baby's Coming Back' (and reinstates 'Don't Stop Me Now') as well as 
adding a full-length DVD. Which is pretty good value if you like McFly.

> Next Week
> ---------
> Singles
> -------
> Surely Rihanna again.

Yes, especially without any very big new releases.

> Top 10 : Mutya

Wouldn't take much, obviously.

> Top 20 : Infernal,

Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them just 
outside the 20.

> Kaiser Chiefs,

Possible that they could scrape into the Top 10. But I would be reluctant to 
stake money on it.

>R Kelly

Seems logical, even though I haven't heard it.

> Top 30 : Pigeon Detectives

That would put it behind their previous single, which I don't find very 
plausible. Top 15 at least, I reckon.

> Top 40 : Dizzee Rascal,

His big comeback single, so it might go a *little* higher. But I don't 
expect him to have another really big hit.

>Armand Van Helden

Possibly, although the physical's not out until the 28th, is it?

The Tim Deluxe record has picked up some play too, even though it features 
one of the Audiobullys and is therefore rubbish.

> Albums
> ------
> Maroon 5 look odds-on to take the #1 spot.

Pretty hard to escape.

> Top 20 NE : Cribs,

Not a big album act before, but they're clearly on an upswing.

>Erasure,

Their last two albums peaked at 27 and, er, 102. I'm guessing this will be 
nearer the former than the latter, but it's a month since the single so any 
effect that could have had will have evaporated.

> Hellogoodbye,

Very difficult to tell whether anyone wants a whole album of this. It's got 
to be possible that calling it Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! will 
put people off.

> Johnny Cash

This is one of those best-of-volume-2 releases, though. So most of the 
tracks that casual buyers would be interested in were on the first one.

However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time. And Richard Allinson claimed on 
Radio 2 that Sophie Ellis-Bextor had pre-sold 75k of her album, but I'm not 
sure I believe him.

    Chris
-- 
"It's always hard meeting your heroes. Especially when they punch you in the 
face."

http://thehitparade.blogspot.com

More of my blathering is available at
http://faynights.users.btopenworld.com

In uk.music.charts on Sun, 20 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :

>> Singles
>> -------
>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely nowhere
>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only the
>> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.
>
>And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on a
>chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.

Does *anyone* know why he is credited?
>
>> New Entries/Climbers
>> --------------------
>> Top 10 : Maroon 5 #2,
>
>Although there's only one physical format everything else about this single
>seems meticulously designed for maximum commercial potential, from the
>production right down to that gratuitous swearing in the chorus so you'll
>take them seriously.

>It's sort of nice to see it pipped at the post.

More than 'pipped' - they were well beaten, in the end.
>
>>Snow Patrol #4,
>
>The theme song from the new Spider-Man film; it's overlong, ill-conceived
>and sounds like it was made for the money. And apparently the film's a bit
>of a let-down too.
>However, it does give them their highest-charting single to date, perhaps
>because it's not on one of their albums.

Yet...
>
>> Top 20 : Mutya #11,
>
>Out on CDs and 12" 28th May, which is a bit later than I thought it was
>originally planned for.

So it'll stall next week, with maybe a climb to top 5 the week after.
>
>>Cribs #17,
>
>First single from the fraternal trio's third album, produced by Alex
>Kapranos. You can sort of tell, especially on the chorus.

I was surprised this didn't slip much during the week.

Talking of not slipping much : MSP fell *only* another 8 places - now 4 
weeks in the top 30, and counting...

Only two of their singles managed longer :

'A Design For Life' 6w, & 'If You Tolerate This...' 5w.
>
>> Biffy Clyro #19
>
>The new single 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies' adds to their
>litany of really terrible song titles.
>The record itself at least gets some credit in my book for being so
>ludicrously (knowingly) over the top.

This went AWOL from the Thursday mids, so I'd forgotten about it.
>
>> Verka Seduchka #28
>
>Ukraine's Eurovision entry this year and something of a favourite although
>"she" had to settle for second place.

Why the quotes?
>
>> New outside the top 40 :
>
>>Pigeon Detectives #55,
>
>Out tomorrow on CD & 7"s.

Top 75 just on downloads isn't bad, though.
>
>> Kaiser Chiefs #61
>
>Out tomorrow on CD & 7".
>I wonder whether 'Ruby' climbed this week because people don't like this
>one? ;-)

Rather a low position for them, just one week short of full release.
>
>The chart I'm looking at also lists Mims as a new entry. Presumably it's
>changed labels or something.

Or the description was just a mistake.
>
>> McFly equalled the biggest ever fall from #1, by dropping all the way to
>> #20. :)
>
>And as that record was set by a limited-edition Elvis single, this could be
>called the biggest ever drop in demand. A pity in a way, as it's not their
>worst single.

Who could tell, anyway? :)
>
>> Albums
>> ------
>> Linkin Park easily claim their 2nd #1 album
>
>Has anyone read a more depressing start to a sentence this week than "Linkin
>Park, one of the biggest-selling bands of the 21st century..."
>Back they are anyway, with only their third proper album.

How many improper ones, then? :)
>
>> NE's (top 20) :
>
>>FFAF #3,
>
>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.

I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>
>> New outside the top 20 :
>
>>Maccabees #24,
>
>Much-loved London newcomers

Not *that* much, apparently...

> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now,
>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.

Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.
>
>> Bucks Fizz #40,

>Strangely, the only songs I can actually remember are 'Making Your Mind Up',
>'Piece Of The Action', 'The Land Of Make Believe' (the first three tracks on
>here) and their version of 'Love The One You're With'.

I'd suggest you'd repressed the others, except that that begs the 
question of why you hadn't repressed the above songs as well... :)
>
>>Battles #70,
>
>US math-rock

What the hell is 'math-rock'?

> group with their long-awaited debut album.
>
>> Katherine Jenkins climbed 123 places to #135, thanks to her Emmerdale
>> appearance. :)
>
>I'm told by people who watch that sort of nonsense that it was an especially
>pivotal episode too, which must have helped.

I dare say her other albums may have charted outside the top 75, too.

>And McFly re-enter at 14 with a Deluxe re-issue of Motion In The Ocean

I'm sure all the 'untreated sewage' jokes have already been done...

> which
>adds 'Baby's Coming Back' (and reinstates 'Don't Stop Me Now') as well as
>adding a full-length DVD. Which is pretty good value if you like McFly.

Try finding someone who'll admit to it, though. :)
>
>> Next Week
>> ---------
>> Singles
>> -------
>
>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>
>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them just
>outside the 20.

I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.
>
>> Kaiser Chiefs,
>
>Possible that they could scrape into the Top 10. But I would be reluctant to
>stake money on it.

I doubt it, from down in the 60's.
>
>>R Kelly
>
>Seems logical, even though I haven't heard it.

I've locked out the three specifically urban-genre channels on my Sky 
box, so there's less chance of me hearing it. :)
>
>> Top 40 : Dizzee Rascal,
>
>His big comeback single, so it might go a *little* higher.

Not with sod-all publicity, though.
>
>> Albums
>> ------
>> Maroon 5 look odds-on to take the #1 spot.
>
>Pretty hard to escape.

No realistic challengers.
>
>> Top 20 NE : Cribs,
>
>Not a big album act before, but they're clearly on an upswing.

Plus you currently need under 10k for a top 20 place.
>
>> Hellogoodbye,
>
>Very difficult to tell whether anyone wants a whole album of this.

I think that about a lot of bands. :)
>
>This is one of those best-of-volume-2 releases, though. So most of the
>tracks that casual buyers would be interested in were on the first one.
>
>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time. And Richard Allinson claimed on
>Radio 2 that Sophie Ellis-Bextor had pre-sold 75k of her album

Are you sure that wasn't 75 *copies*? :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

On Mon, 21 May 2007 08:19:52 퍝, Paul Hyett  wrote:

> In uk.music.charts on Sun, 20 May 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely nowhere
>>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only the
>>> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.
>>
>> And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on a
>> chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.
>
> Does *anyone* know why he is credited?
>>

There are two versions of the track. One where he does a rap at the beginning
of the song and one where he doesn't. I guess most radio stations have chosen
to play the Jay-Zless version. You can hear his contribution  on YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3OOAvLD5Cc

Fred X

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:gcxN1FEj4TUGFw29@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Sun, 20 May 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely 
>>> nowhere
>>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only 
>>> the
>>> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.
>>
>>And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on 
>>a
>>chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.
>
> Does *anyone* know why he is credited?

Other posters have given the answer I expected - there's a version with him 
as well as the one without. But unlike previous cases it seems to be the one 
without him that's getting the bulk of the airplay.

>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>> --------------------
>>> Top 10 : Maroon 5 #2,
>>
>>Although there's only one physical format everything else about this 
>>single
>>seems meticulously designed for maximum commercial potential, from the
>>production right down to that gratuitous swearing in the chorus so you'll
>>take them seriously.
>
>>It's sort of nice to see it pipped at the post.
>
> More than 'pipped' - they were well beaten, in the end.

Yes, but what I meant was that this has been building up for weeks, and it's 
only in the last few days that it got beaten.

>>>Snow Patrol #4,
>>
>>The theme song from the new Spider-Man film; it's overlong, ill-conceived
>>and sounds like it was made for the money. And apparently the film's a bit
>>of a let-down too.
>>However, it does give them their highest-charting single to date, perhaps
>>because it's not on one of their albums.
>
> Yet...

Presumably when we get the Greatest Hits album it will be on there, but all 
their previous Top 40 singles were already on albums except 'You're All I 
Have' and even that was only released physically one week before the album.

>>> Top 20 : Mutya #11,
>>
>>Out on CDs and 12" 28th May, which is a bit later than I thought it was
>>originally planned for.
>
> So it'll stall next week, with maybe a climb to top 5 the week after.

Presumably.

>>>Cribs #17,
>>
>>First single from the fraternal trio's third album, produced by Alex
>>Kapranos. You can sort of tell, especially on the chorus.
>
> I was surprised this didn't slip much during the week.

Good point. I hadn't really thought of that.

>>> Verka Seduchka #28
>>
>>Ukraine's Eurovision entry this year and something of a favourite although
>>"she" had to settle for second place.
>
> Why the quotes?

Verka is a drag queen. I can't remember the bloke's real name.

>>> New outside the top 40 :
>>
>>>Pigeon Detectives #55,
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CD & 7"s.
>
> Top 75 just on downloads isn't bad, though.

Indeed not, especially when the song isn't up to much.

>>> Kaiser Chiefs #61
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CD & 7".
>>I wonder whether 'Ruby' climbed this week because people don't like this
>>one? ;-)
>
> Rather a low position for them, just one week short of full release.

Yes, I noticed that. Obviously this couldn't compete with 'Ruby' because 
it's on a successful album; but I remember 'I Predict A Riot' going Top 40 
before it was re-issued.

    Chris

>>The chart I'm looking at also lists Mims as a new entry. Presumably it's
>>changed labels or something.
>
> Or the description was just a mistake.
>>
>>> McFly equalled the biggest ever fall from #1, by dropping all the way to
>>> #20. :)
>>
>>And as that record was set by a limited-edition Elvis single, this could 
>>be
>>called the biggest ever drop in demand. A pity in a way, as it's not their
>>worst single.
>
> Who could tell, anyway? :)
>>
>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Linkin Park easily claim their 2nd #1 album
>>
>>Has anyone read a more depressing start to a sentence this week than 
>>"Linkin
>>Park, one of the biggest-selling bands of the 21st century..."
>>Back they are anyway, with only their third proper album.
>
> How many improper ones, then? :)
>>
>>> NE's (top 20) :
>>
>>>FFAF #3,
>>
>>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.
>
> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>>
>>> New outside the top 20 :
>>
>>>Maccabees #24,
>>
>>Much-loved London newcomers
>
> Not *that* much, apparently...
>
>> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now,
>>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.
>
> Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.
>>
>>> Bucks Fizz #40,
>
>>Strangely, the only songs I can actually remember are 'Making Your Mind 
>>Up',
>>'Piece Of The Action', 'The Land Of Make Believe' (the first three tracks 
>>on
>>here) and their version of 'Love The One You're With'.
>
> I'd suggest you'd repressed the others, except that that begs the question 
> of why you hadn't repressed the above songs as well... :)
>>
>>>Battles #70,
>>
>>US math-rock
>
> What the hell is 'math-rock'?
>
>> group with their long-awaited debut album.
>>
>>> Katherine Jenkins climbed 123 places to #135, thanks to her Emmerdale
>>> appearance. :)
>>
>>I'm told by people who watch that sort of nonsense that it was an 
>>especially
>>pivotal episode too, which must have helped.
>
> I dare say her other albums may have charted outside the top 75, too.
>
>>And McFly re-enter at 14 with a Deluxe re-issue of Motion In The Ocean
>
> I'm sure all the 'untreated sewage' jokes have already been done...
>
>> which
>>adds 'Baby's Coming Back' (and reinstates 'Don't Stop Me Now') as well as
>>adding a full-length DVD. Which is pretty good value if you like McFly.
>
> Try finding someone who'll admit to it, though. :)
>>
>>> Next Week
>>> ---------
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>
>>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>>
>>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them 
>>just
>>outside the 20.
>
> I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.
>>
>>> Kaiser Chiefs,
>>
>>Possible that they could scrape into the Top 10. But I would be reluctant 
>>to
>>stake money on it.
>
> I doubt it, from down in the 60's.
>>
>>>R Kelly
>>
>>Seems logical, even though I haven't heard it.
>
> I've locked out the three specifically urban-genre channels on my Sky box, 
> so there's less chance of me hearing it. :)
>>
>>> Top 40 : Dizzee Rascal,
>>
>>His big comeback single, so it might go a *little* higher.
>
> Not with sod-all publicity, though.
>>
>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Maroon 5 look odds-on to take the #1 spot.
>>
>>Pretty hard to escape.
>
> No realistic challengers.
>>
>>> Top 20 NE : Cribs,
>>
>>Not a big album act before, but they're clearly on an upswing.
>
> Plus you currently need under 10k for a top 20 place.
>>
>>> Hellogoodbye,
>>
>>Very difficult to tell whether anyone wants a whole album of this.
>
> I think that about a lot of bands. :)
>>
>>This is one of those best-of-volume-2 releases, though. So most of the
>>tracks that casual buyers would be interested in were on the first one.
>>
>>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time. And Richard Allinson claimed on
>>Radio 2 that Sophie Ellis-Bextor had pre-sold 75k of her album
>
> Are you sure that wasn't 75 *copies*? :)
> -- 
> Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:gcxN1FEj4TUGFw29@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Sun, 20 May 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :

Sorry, peaked a bit early there.

>>The chart I'm looking at also lists Mims as a new entry. Presumably it's
>>changed labels or something.
>
> Or the description was just a mistake.

That's the other possibility.

>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Linkin Park easily claim their 2nd #1 album
>>
>>Back they are anyway, with only their third proper album.
>
> How many improper ones, then? :)

All of them, if you ask me.
But I was seperating those three from the live album, the remix album and 
the Jay-Z collaboration (him again!).

>>> NE's (top 20) :
>>
>>>FFAF #3,
>>
>>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.
>
> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.

I tend to draw the line at 11. But there are some exceptional albums that I 
allow to break that rule.
In any case, I don't think this album would be improved by more songs.

>>> New outside the top 20 :
>>
>>>Maccabees #24,
>>
>>Much-loved London newcomers
>
> Not *that* much, apparently...

On the contrary - ISTM that they are much loved, but not necessarily by very 
many people.

>> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now,
>>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.
>
> Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.

I thought digital albums weren't counted until the physical release? But 
you're right it probably wouldn't have anyway.

>>>Battles #70,
>>
>>US math-rock
>
> What the hell is 'math-rock'?

I was hoping you weren't going to ask me that. ;-)
It's a sort of experimental rock music, I guess. I think it gets the name 
because of the use of unusual time signatures and so on, but I might be way 
off there.

>>And McFly re-enter at 14 with a Deluxe re-issue of Motion In The Ocean
>
> I'm sure all the 'untreated sewage' jokes have already been done...

I think I did them all the first time it came out.

>>> Next Week
>>> ---------
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>
>>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>>
>>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them 
>>just
>>outside the 20.
>
> I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.

So am I.
I'm less than confident about this one though.

>>> Kaiser Chiefs,
>>
>>Possible that they could scrape into the Top 10. But I would be reluctant 
>>to
>>stake money on it.
>
> I doubt it, from down in the 60's.

I tend to doubt it as well.

>>> Top 40 : Dizzee Rascal,
>>
>>His big comeback single, so it might go a *little* higher.
>
> Not with sod-all publicity, though.

Probably not, although I don't remember 'Stand Up Tall' having any either 
and that turned out to be his biggest hit.

>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Hellogoodbye,
>>
>>Very difficult to tell whether anyone wants a whole album of this.
>
> I think that about a lot of bands. :)

I often wonder *why* they do, but wondering *whether* is a bit less common.
Perhaps it's just the band's name that makes them look like a 
one-hit-wonder. ;-)

>>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time. And Richard Allinson claimed on
>>Radio 2 that Sophie Ellis-Bextor had pre-sold 75k of her album
>
> Are you sure that wasn't 75 *copies*? :)

This is why I didn't believe him. I'm not sure she did either.
It may have shipped 75k, but that's not quite the same thing.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 21 May 2007, Fred X  
wrote :
>>
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely nowhere
>>>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot. In doing so, it also becomes only the
>>>> 3rd single to reach #1 on download sales alone.
>>>
>>> And the first by a female act. Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on a
>>> chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.
>>
>> Does *anyone* know why he is credited?
>>>
>There are two versions of the track. One where he does a rap at the beginning
>of the song and one where he doesn't. I guess most radio stations have chosen
>to play the Jay-Zless version.

Most British radio stations, anyway. Smart move IMO - rap doesn't carry 
anything like the same weight as it does in America.

>You can hear his contribution  on YouTube.
>
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3OOAvLD5Cc

I'll take your word for it. :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 21 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>> To the surprise of almost everyone, Rihanna comes from absolutely
>>>> nowhere
>>>> to deprive Maroon 5 of the #1 spot.

>>>Incidentally, also Jay-Z's third credit on
>>>a
>>>chart-topping single, even if I'm not sure what he does here.
>>
>> Does *anyone* know why he is credited?
>
>Other posters have given the answer I expected - there's a version with him
>as well as the one without. But unlike previous cases it seems to be the one
>without him that's getting the bulk of the airplay.

Since I've only heard it via the video, I'm glad to say I haven't heard 
the Jay-Z version at all. :)

That raises an interesting question - since it is the non-rap version 
that people are hearing & buying, then surely only Rihanna should be 
credited?
>
>>>> Verka Seduchka #28
>>>
>>>Ukraine's Eurovision entry this year and something of a favourite although
>>>"she" had to settle for second place.
>>
>> Why the quotes?
>
>Verka is a drag queen.

The I'm even more glad I didn't watch it - drag acts make my skin crawl. 
:(
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 21 May 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>
>Sorry, peaked a bit early there.

I wondered what happened.
>
>>>> Albums
>>>> ------
>>>> NE's (top 20) :
>>>
>>>>FFAF #3,
>>>
>>>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>>>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.
>>
>> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>
>I tend to draw the line at 11. But there are some exceptional albums that I
>allow to break that rule.

True - Dido's 'Life For Rent' only had 11.
>
>>> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>>>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks now,
>>>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.
>>
>> Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.
>
>I thought digital albums weren't counted until the physical release?

I'm not sure about that - but since they do for singles, why not for 
albums?
>
>>>> Next Week
>>>> ---------
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>
>>>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>>>
>>>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them
>>>just
>>>outside the 20.
>>
>> I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.
>
>So am I.
>I'm less than confident about this one though.

Didn't look for the CD yesterday - spent ages waiting for a haircut, and 
was in a rush after that.
>
>>>> Albums
>>>> ------
>>>However, Clare Teal went Top 20 last time.

Is she a classical artist?
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:HXP0XiGY2oUGFwDX@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Mon, 21 May 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>>
>>Sorry, peaked a bit early there.
>
> I wondered what happened.

I got a bit distracted and signed the post, so instinctively hit the send 
button. My bad.

>>>>> Albums
>>>>> ------
>>>>> NE's (top 20) :
>>>>
>>>>>FFAF #3,
>>>>
>>>>Funeral For A Career, in a just world. Only ten tracks, two of which are
>>>>parts of the same song, so you have to wonder how bad the rejects were.
>>>
>>> I tend to feel short-changed if an album has less than 12 songs.
>>
>>I tend to draw the line at 11. But there are some exceptional albums that 
>>I
>>allow to break that rule.
>
> True - Dido's 'Life For Rent' only had 11.

I have to admit that wasn't one of the ones I had in mind, but I would say 
there were certain albums that were so complete at ten or even nine tracks 
that I can't object. Conversely, there are a load of albums that are so lame 
the last thing you want is more of them.

>>>> with a thirteen-song debut set. As I mentioned
>>>>last week, this has been available as a digital album for some weeks 
>>>>now,
>>>>which might have depressed this week's sales a little.
>>>
>>> Since it never reached the top 200, the effect will have been minimal.
>>
>>I thought digital albums weren't counted until the physical release?
>
> I'm not sure about that - but since they do for singles, why not for 
> albums?

Probably because there's no drive from the record companies to do so.

>>>>> Next Week
>>>>> ---------
>>>>> Singles
>>>>> -------
>>>>
>>>>> Top 20 : Infernal,
>>>>
>>>>Still not in the Top 75, so if I had to make a prediction I'd put them
>>>>just
>>>>outside the 20.
>>>
>>> I'm expecting it to sell disproportionately well on CD, though.
>>
>>So am I.
>>I'm less than confident about this one though.
>
> Didn't look for