Just three weeks to go now...

Singles
-------
Leona Lewis still #1, for a 7th week.

New Entries/Climbers
--------------------
Top 10 : Mariah Carey #8, Soulja Boy #10
Top 20 : Pogues & KM #12, Elvis #13,  Casacada #16, Arctic Monkeys #20
Top 30 : Enemy #21, Wham (re) #23, Andy Williams #25, Sugababes #26, 
Wizzard (re) #27, Peter Gelderblom #29
Top 40 : J Holiday #32, Shakin' Stevens (re) #33, Foo Fighters #35, 
Slade (re) #37 [yeah!], Band Aid (re) #38

8 new entries & 5 re-entries!

New outside the top 40 : Killers #43, Dannii Minogue #48, Chris Rea (re) 
#51, Scouting For Girls #53, Babyshambles #54, James Blunt #57, John 
Lennon (re) #60, QOTSA #61, Tom Baxter #67, Kate Nash #70, Perry Como 
(re) #71

Note this list maybe incomplete, as I didn't have the full top 75 when 
compiling my commentary

Albums
------
Leona holds at #1 for a 4th week by a significant margin.

NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12

New outside the top 20 : U2 (Joshua Tree) #51, Choirboys #61

Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
The outcome is actually in some doubt this time!

Leona still looks the most likely #1, but Soulja Boy might come close, 
possibly Cascada, or even a Xmas song? :)

Top 10 : Soulja Boy, Cascada, Pogues & KM
Top 20 : Andy Williams,
Top 30 : David Guetta, Plain White T's, Stereophonics
Top 40 : Amy McDonald, Jack Penate, Newton Faulkner

Any other possibilities?

Who knows how well Shawn the Sheep will do...

Albums
------
Leona, probably until after Xmas now.

Top 20 NE : none

Others : none

No new entries likely until well into January,
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:ppwmxHUPuEXHFwYH@blueyonder.co.uk...
> Just three weeks to go now...
>
> Singles
> -------
> Leona Lewis still #1, for a 7th week.

Zzzz. Not the worst Number One ever, or even this week, but it's hard to 
enjoy a run this long.

> New Entries/Climbers
> --------------------
> Top 10 : Mariah Carey #8,

Gradually approaching its 1994 peak, although it'll be hard-pushed to match 
it.

> Soulja Boy #10

Out tomorrow on CD &12" - this now seems definite.

> Top 20 : Pogues & KM #12,

Back in the shops tomorrow on CD & 7" - they're not bothering with the DVD 
single this time.

> Elvis #13,

And so we reach the end of this particular run of re-releases with another 
fan favourite, 'Burning Love', originally Number 7 in 1972.
I was never terribly keen on this one, but everyone else seems to like it. 
In fact, a remix version was promoted to radio as the follow-up to 'A Little 
Less Conversation' but never officially released here.

>Casacada #16,

Out tomorrow on CD & 12"
Already the highest-charting version of this song in the UK.

>Arctic Monkeys #20

By one measure at least, their second album has outperformed the first - 
it's now produced three hit singles for them.
This may not be the most obvious single they could have chosen but then you 
wouldn't expect them to go the easy way, would you? In case you were 
wondering, a teddy picker is one of those devices at fairgrounds which 
supposedly enable you to pick up a prize with a claw; they're widely assumed 
to be a total con and, hence, a rich metaphor.

> Top 30 : Enemy #21,

In the pop sub-subgenre of Songs About What A Hole Coventry Is", the album 
title track 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' isn't exactly 'Ghost Town'.
It is, however, pretty much 'That's Entertainment' to the tune of 'Going 
Underground' and therefore superior to any of their previous singles. It 
doesn't really sound like they believe in the line "Don't let it drag you 
down" though.

> Wham (re) #23,

It took me about fifteen years to notice that this wasn't a terrible song. 
But it is a terrible record.

> Andy Williams #25,

Out on CD tomorrow.

> Wizzard (re) #27,

I bet when Roy Wood looks at his royalty statements, he really does wish it 
could be Christmas every day. Or at least every month.

>Peter Gelderblom #29

Apparently somebody else thinks that what the world really needs is more 
records that sample (or at least recreate) one line from an oldish record. 
The victim in this case is 'By The Way' from the Red Hot Chili Peppers album 
of five years ago.

> Top 40 : J Holiday #32,

Despite a name that sounds like a stationer's shop in Gloucestershire, J 
Holiday is in fact a 22-year old RnB singer from DC, and apparently "the 
only new artist this year in America to debut at No.1 in the prestigious 
chart with his hot new single 'Bed'." I presume they mean a chart with a lot 
of prestige rather than one that involves prestidigtation. And no, I don't 
know how anybody else could debut at Number 1 with his record either.
It has to be said that December doesn't seem the most obvious time to try 
and launch a new RnB type on the UK market.

> Shakin' Stevens (re) #33,

This is really awful isn't it?

>Foo Fighters #35,

Chartwise at least, second singles from albums seem a bit of an Achilles 
heel for Dave Grohl's band, and 'Long Road To Ruin' has to contend with the 
continued popularity of 'The Pretender' as well.
It's possibly not the most obvious hit they've ever had, but blends a social 
message with a reference to a Ramones album title.

> Slade (re) #37 [yeah!],

It's Christ-MAAAASSSS!
I wonder if there's any chance of it beating last year's position?

>Band Aid (re) #38

Was it just my imagination, or did they play an odd mix of it? BTW, Paul 
McCartney wasn't there.

> 8 new entries & 5 re-entries!

Once upon a time that wouldn't have been surprising.

> New outside the top 40 : Killers #43,

Their second annual Christmas release. Haven't actually heard it myself.

>Dannii Minogue #48,

I wonder if people were too cynical about the timing here?

> Chris Rea (re) #51,

'Driving Home For Christmas', in case anybody was unsure.

>Scouting For Girls #53,

Out on CD & 7" on the 17th.

>Babyshambles #54,

By some way their lowest-charting single, and possibly the smallest hit Pete 
Doherty's ever been involved in. As he says here, "I never said it was 
clever/I just like to get leathered", which may explain why he recently 
failed to show up for one of his own gigs and a fan had to do the vocals.

> James Blunt #57,

It looks like the people who sent him to the top of the charts in 2005 have 
decided not to make the 'Same Mistake' again. The record company, however, 
have made the fairly fresh mistake of releasing this on a one-track CD, so 
that the (admittedly unexpectedly small) number of people who already have 
the album are asked to pay £1:99 for a plastic case and a blurry photograph.

> John Lennon (re) #60,

Not forgetting Yoko Ono and the Harlem Community Choir.

> QOTSA #61,

Are you sure? The chart I'm looking at has Bing Crosby in this position! I 
know they're easily confused...

> Tom Baxter #67,

R2-adored singer/songwriter who's back with a new label after the success of 
Blunt, Morrison et al. It's not obvious why they'd release the single now 
when the album isn't out until January.

>Kate Nash #70,

Out on CD & 7"s on the 17th.

>Perry Como (re) #71

Are you sure? It's obviously an old record but I don't think it's charted 
before.

> Note this list maybe incomplete, as I didn't have the full top 75 when 
> compiling my commentary

The only other newcomer I can see is Rihanna at 68 (with 'Don't Stop The 
Music') possibly because she's been over here.

I've got the rest of the Top 100 here, though:

77: Paul McCartney ('Wonderful Christmastime')
82: Elton John
83: Boney M
86: Cliff Richard ('Mistletoe And Wine')
87: Ian Brown - He's got the guest stars (Steve Jones, Paul Cook and some 
famous bassist whose name slips my mind) and he even recorded a Japanese 
vocal for the 7", but nobody seems very excited.
90: Aled Jones
91: Ian Hunter
92: Fightstar - Note to the record industry: if you really think the 
combined CD/vinyl format is such a good idea, why not launch it with an act 
whose fans might actually have record players?
100: Dean Martin.

> Albums
> ------
> Leona holds at #1 for a 4th week by a significant margin.
>
> NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12

It seems an amazingly quick follow-up, although of course the last one was 
released late in Britain. Aside from the single, there are covers of 
'Because The Night', 'SK8r Boi' and 'Just Like A Pill'.

> New outside the top 20 : U2 (Joshua Tree) #51,

20th anniversary re-master available as a single CD, or with a bonus disc of 
B-sides outtakes and so on, with that and a DVD (may contain explicit 
footage of mullets) or on two vinyl LPs.

> Choirboys #61

Self-explanatory vocal group, who were foolishly tipped as a possible 
Christmas Number One last year. Or perhaps not since this is apparently an 
all-new line-up. Just like Napalm Death then.

> Next Week
> ---------
> Singles
> -------
> The outcome is actually in some doubt this time!
>
> Leona still looks the most likely #1, but Soulja Boy might come close, 
> possibly Cascada, or even a Xmas song? :)

I don't think any of the Xmas songs are quite close enough yet, although we 
can't entirely predict how they'll move. And Cascada haven't previously done 
that well with post-album singles.

> Top 10 : Soulja Boy, Cascada, Pogues & KM

I wonder just how high the Pogues can go this time around, with physicals 
and all?

> Top 20 : Andy Williams,

Maybe even better than this, as he's within a few places already.

> Top 30 : David Guetta,

At best, since I notice it's dropped down the chart this week.

> Plain White T's,

Why are they releasing a single now?

>Stereophonics

HMV are listing two formats for tomorrow and one for the 17th - normally I 
believe the later date but this time I'm not so sure. Assuming it does come 
out tomorrow, I would guess somewhere between 21-25.

> Top 40 : Amy McDonald,

Top 50 already, so I'd say this was about right. Still not sure why this is 
selling so much better than her last one.

>Jack Penate,

HMV think this is already out, but I doubt it.
I don't think a big hit is on the horizon in any case.

> Newton Faulkner

At least we can tell why this is beating his last one. However, it's 
possibly been released too late for a really big chart hit.

> Any other possibilities?

Not many, since it's slightly difficult to imagine that people will buy 
another single from the Amy Winehouse album. Foals are hotly tipped for 
2008, but of course it's not 2008 yet.
Ernie K-Doe and the Killers are very close on downloads though, so one of 
them might sneak in.

> Who knows how well Shawn the Sheep will do...

People who've seen the pre-orders? He's obviously a popular character, so a 
major hit is probable, but I suspect he won't sell many downloads.

> Albums
> ------
> Leona, probably until after Xmas now.

So it seems. Radiohead may depose her after that.

> Top 20 NE : none
>
> Others : none

Agreed. There are albums out, but few if any that can sell at the season's 
levels.

> No new entries likely until well into January,

I don't entirely agree (see above) but none in the next three weeks seems 
plausible.

    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

"Chris Brown"  wrote in message
news:fjhqta$djh$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
>
 .
>
>> Shakin' Stevens (re) #33,
>
> This is really awful isn't it?

Not really, just the cheesiest Christmas song I can think of.
I bet Shakin' Stevens had a lot of fun recording it though!
 >
>> Slade (re) #37 [yeah!],
>
> It's Christ-MAAAASSSS!
> I wonder if there's any chance of it beating last year's position?

This wasn't even in the top 200 in last weeks mids.
There must have been quite a surge in the last few days to push
it up this high.
-- 
Col

Steal a spaceship and head for the sun,
Shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

In uk.music.charts on Sun, 9 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>
>> Singles
>> -------
>> Leona Lewis still #1, for a 7th week.
>
>Zzzz.

More like XxxxFfff...

>Not the worst Number One ever, or even this week, but it's hard to
>enjoy a run this long.

At least I *liked* Umbrella.
>
>> New Entries/Climbers
>> --------------------
>> Top 10 : Mariah Carey #8,
>
>Gradually approaching its 1994 peak, although it'll be hard-pushed to match
>it.

Especially without a physical re-release.
>
>> Soulja Boy #10
>
>Out tomorrow on CD &12" - this now seems definite.

Only a 4 place climb, doesn't suggest it'll bridge the gap to the top. 
It probably sold 12-15k this week, and it seems unlikely it would more 
than double its sales through CD's alone.
>
>> Top 20 : Pogues & KM #12,
>
>Back in the shops tomorrow on CD & 7" - they're not bothering with the DVD
>single this time.

Top 5 next week, then.
>
>> Elvis #13,
>
>And so we reach the end of this particular run of re-releases

TF!
>
>>Casacada #16,
>
>Out tomorrow on CD & 12"
>Already the highest-charting version of this song in the UK.

Another solid candidate for top 5, next Sunday.
>
>>Arctic Monkeys #20
>
>By one measure at least, their second album has outperformed the first -
>it's now produced three hit singles for them.

By far their worst chart position so far, though.
>
>> Top 30 : Enemy #21,
>
>In the pop sub-subgenre of Songs About What A Hole Coventry Is", the album
>title track 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' isn't exactly 'Ghost Town'.
>It is, however, pretty much 'That's Entertainment' to the tune of 'Going
>Underground'

I was going to *say* it sounded a lot like 'Going Underground', but I 
thought it was coincidence.

> and therefore superior to any of their previous singles. It
>doesn't really sound like they believe in the line "Don't let it drag you
>down" though.

It actually climbed from its mid-week position, an accomplishment in 
itself for a rock track - but don't expect to see it still in the top 40 
next week.
>
>> Wham (re) #23,
>
>It took me about fifteen years to notice that this wasn't a terrible song.
>But it is a terrible record.

Heard Cascada's cover?
>
>> Andy Williams #25,
>
>Out on CD tomorrow.

This is a genuine new entry of course, having never previously charted.
>
>> Wizzard (re) #27,
>
>I bet when Roy Wood looks at his royalty statements, he really does wish it
>could be Christmas every day. Or at least every month.

Grin.
>
>>Peter Gelderblom #29
>
>Apparently somebody else thinks that what the world really needs is more
>records that sample (or at least recreate) one line from an oldish record.

I like this one.
>
>The victim in this case is 'By The Way' from the Red Hot Chili Peppers album
>of five years ago.

I didn't recognise it.
>
>> Top 40 : J Holiday #32,
>
>It has to be said that December doesn't seem the most obvious time to try
>and launch a new RnB type on the UK market.

To be fair, this first charted on downloads back in October...
>
>> Shakin' Stevens (re) #33,
>
>This is really awful isn't it?

Just wait 'til you hear Shawn the Sheep! :)
>
>>Foo Fighters #35,
>
>Chartwise at least, second singles from albums seem a bit of an Achilles
>heel for Dave Grohl's band

Not *just* for them, but for most rock bands.
>
>> Slade (re) #37 [yeah!],
>
>It's Christ-MAAAASSSS!
>I wonder if there's any chance of it beating last year's position?

I dunno - there's lots of Xmas competition this time, unlike last time 
when eligibility was an issue.
>
>>Band Aid (re) #38
>
>Was it just my imagination, or did they play an odd mix of it? BTW, Paul
>McCartney wasn't there.

I tend to ignore all the Band Aid singles!
>
>> 8 new entries & 5 re-entries!
>
>Once upon a time that wouldn't have been surprising.

The 2nd part would.
>
>> New outside the top 40 : Killers #43,
>
>Their second annual Christmas release. Haven't actually heard it myself.

Presumably it'll go top 40 next week.
>
>>Dannii Minogue #48,
>
>I wonder if people were too cynical about the timing here?

Promo was virtually invisible outside the TV music channels.
>
>> Chris Rea (re) #51,
>
>'Driving Home For Christmas', in case anybody was unsure.

Followed up by 'Breathalised For Drink Driving At Xmas'? :)
>
>>Scouting For Girls #53,
>
>Out on CD & 7" on the 17th.

Just let the guy RIP, I say!
>
>>Babyshambles #54,
>
>By some way their lowest-charting single, and possibly the smallest hit Pete
>Doherty's ever been involved in. As he says here, "I never said it was
>clever/I just like to get leathered", which may explain why he recently
>failed to show up for one of his own gigs and a fan had to do the vocals.

I guess his fans retaliated by going AWOL from the record shops. :)
>
>> James Blunt #57,
>
>It looks like the people who sent him to the top of the charts in 2005 have
>decided not to make the 'Same Mistake' again. The record company, however,
>have made the fairly fresh mistake of releasing this on a one-track CD, so
>that the (admittedly unexpectedly small) number of people who already have
>the album are asked to pay £1:99 for a plastic case and a blurry photograph.

The album climbs 10 to #14 though, so the single has done its job. At 
this time of year, that could mean 40-50k sales.
>
>> John Lennon (re) #60,
>
>Not forgetting Yoko Ono and the Harlem Community Choir.

Actually, I prefer to. :)
>
>> QOTSA #61,
>
>Are you sure? The chart I'm looking at has Bing Crosby in this position! I
>know they're easily confused...

Damn! I don't know how that happened.

Anyhow this is the Xmas classics first chart appearance since 1998, with 
it's highest chart position being #5 in 1977.

Of course, had the charts been around in 1940 when it was first 
released, 'White Christmas' would certainly have been a massive #1.
>
>> Tom Baxter #67,
>
>R2-adored singer/songwriter who's back with a new label after the success of
>Blunt, Morrison et al. It's not obvious why they'd release the single now
>when the album isn't out until January.

This one slipped totally under the radar.
>
>>Kate Nash #70,
>
>Out on CD & 7"s on the 17th.

Fearne Cotton's 'chart breaker' of the week.
>
>>Perry Como (re) #71
>
>Are you sure? It's obviously an old record but I don't think it's charted
>before.

I didn't check this for entries outside the top 40, but you are correct.
>
>> Note this list maybe incomplete, as I didn't have the full top 75 when
>> compiling my commentary
>
>The only other newcomer I can see is Rihanna at 68 (with 'Don't Stop The
>Music') possibly because she's been over here.

It's already accumulated 19 weeks in the top 200 since it first charted 
as an album cut on 16th June.

It's not due out for full release until 11th Feb, but Mercury's hand may 
be forced by rising download sales!
>
>I've got the rest of the Top 100 here, though:

I had these, but there has to be some limit. :)
>
>77: Paul McCartney ('Wonderful Christmastime')

Cheesy, even for a Xmas song.

>82: Elton John

This one I don't recognise offhand.

>83: Boney M

Cringe! :)

>86: Cliff Richard ('Mistletoe And Wine')

Please don't let it go top 40 again!

>87: Ian Brown - He's got the guest stars (Steve Jones, Paul Cook and some
>famous bassist whose name slips my mind) and he even recorded a Japanese
>vocal for the 7", but nobody seems very excited.

Another one whose fanbase seems to have gone AWOL.

>90: Aled Jones

Not exactly a surprise - and should get a late boost, with 'The Snowman' 
getting its annual appearance on the 24th.

He's still very much around on the classical music scene of course, 
though obviously no longer as a soprano!

Wonder how he feels about this song's annual reappearance?

>91: Ian Hunter

Shouldda waited until January.

>92: Fightstar - Note to the record industry: if you really think the
>combined CD/vinyl format is such a good idea, why not launch it with an act
>whose fans might actually have record players?

Or indeed an act that actually *has* fans.

>100: Dean Martin.

Never charted before (not that #100 technically counts).

Written well before global warming, of course... :)
>
>> Albums
>> ------
>> Leona holds at #1 for a 4th week by a significant margin.

Possibly 180k sold last week.

Kylie's sales held up well, dropping just 1 place to #5. :)
>>
>> NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12
>
>It seems an amazingly quick follow-up, although of course the last one was
>released late in Britain. Aside from the single, there are covers of
>'Because The Night', 'SK8r Boi' and 'Just Like A Pill'.

None of which are listed as the next single.

A climb into the top 10 wouldn't surprise me this week, especially with 
extra push of the full CD release, and the R1 chart show airplay.

Even at the modest position of #72 (104 spins), 'What Hurts The Most' is 
Cascada's highest airplay position - and it will presumably have risen 
further this week.
>
>> New outside the top 20 : U2 (Joshua Tree) #51,
>
>20th anniversary re-master available as a single CD, or with a bonus disc of
>B-sides outtakes and so on, with that and a DVD (may contain explicit
>footage of mullets)

Fish pornography? :)

> or on two vinyl LPs.

I guess U2 fans will at least be old enough to know what a record player 
is.
>
>> Choirboys #61
>
>Self-explanatory vocal group, who were foolishly tipped as a possible
>Christmas Number One last year. Or perhaps not since this is apparently an
>all-new line-up. Just like Napalm Death then.

I imagine death by napalm would be less painful, though... :)
>
>> Next Week
>> ---------
>> Singles
>> -------
>> The outcome is actually in some doubt this time!
>>
>> Leona still looks the most likely #1, but Soulja Boy might come close,
>> possibly Cascada, or even a Xmas song? :)
>
>I don't think any of the Xmas songs are quite close enough yet

Well, it's this week or nothing, with the X-F single out the following 
week.

>, although we
>can't entirely predict how they'll move. And Cascada haven't previously done
>that well with post-album singles.

But it *is* the first single from it.
>
>> Top 10 : Soulja Boy, Cascada, Pogues & KM
>
>I wonder just how high the Pogues can go this time around, with physicals
>and all?

Top 5.
>
>> Top 20 : Andy Williams,
>
>Maybe even better than this, as he's within a few places already.

I doubt the physical release will make much difference though - unless 
you see zimmer-frame queues in the shops today. :)
>
>> Plain White T's,
>
>Why are they releasing a single now?

To punish us for the last one not going to #1?
>
>> Top 40 : Amy McDonald,
>
>Top 50 already, so I'd say this was about right. Still not sure why this is
>selling so much better than her last one.

More promo.
>
>> Who knows how well Shawn the Sheep will do...
>
>People who've seen the pre-orders? He's obviously a popular character, so a
>major hit is probable, but I suspect he won't sell many downloads.

Fortunately the latter is essential for major chart success nowadays.
>
>> Albums
>> ------
>> Leona, probably until after Xmas now.
>
>So it seems. Radiohead may depose her after that.

What - the album that all their fans have already had the chance to 
obtain for free (or as little as they chose to pay)?

Unless this physical release contains significant extras, I can't see it 
getting anywhere near the top, regardless of how well their previous 
ones did.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 10 Dec 2007, Col  
wrote :
> >
>>> Slade (re) #37 [yeah!],
>>
>> It's Christ-MAAAASSSS!
>> I wonder if there's any chance of it beating last year's position?
>
>This wasn't even in the top 200 in last weeks mids.
>There must have been quite a surge in the last few days to push
>it up this high.

IMO, it was omitted from the previous chart for some reason, at it had 
been in the top 100 on the mids, then 'vanished'.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:+WAT+nFMhPXHFwIL@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Sun, 9 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>>>
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> Leona Lewis still #1, for a 7th week.
>>
>>Zzzz.
>
> More like XxxxFfff...
>
>>Not the worst Number One ever, or even this week, but it's hard to
>>enjoy a run this long.

Er, I meant this *year* obviously.

> At least I *liked* Umbrella.

I probably liked it about as much as this, but as I say that becomes 
irrelevant after about a month.

>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>> --------------------
>>> Top 10 : Mariah Carey #8,
>>
>>Gradually approaching its 1994 peak, although it'll be hard-pushed to 
>>match
>>it.
>
> Especially without a physical re-release.

Indeed so. Not that people are showing any reluctance to buy the download, 
but there's a lot of competition this time.

>>> Soulja Boy #10
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CD &12" - this now seems definite.
>
> Only a 4 place climb, doesn't suggest it'll bridge the gap to the top. It 
> probably sold 12-15k this week, and it seems unlikely it would more than 
> double its sales through CD's alone.

MW doesn't give a figure, but as Mariah only sold 13k at Number 8 and of 
course Elvis sold 9k, he might have done even worse than that.

>>> Top 20 : Pogues & KM #12,
>>
>>Back in the shops tomorrow on CD & 7" - they're not bothering with the DVD
>>single this time.
>
> Top 5 next week, then.

Or at worst the week after.

>>> Elvis #13,
>>
>>And so we reach the end of this particular run of re-releases
>
> TF!

I wonder what he did in 1959 or 1969 that they can mark the anniversary of?

>>>Casacada #16,
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CD & 12"
>>Already the highest-charting version of this song in the UK.
>
> Another solid candidate for top 5, next Sunday.

Yes, especially now I know one of the formats has 'Last Christmas' on it.

>>>Arctic Monkeys #20
>>
>>By one measure at least, their second album has outperformed the first -
>>it's now produced three hit singles for them.
>
> By far their worst chart position so far, though.

Absolutely - but it's saying something that this applies to a Number 20.

>>> Top 30 : Enemy #21,
>>
>>In the pop sub-subgenre of Songs About What A Hole Coventry Is", the album
>>title track 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' isn't exactly 'Ghost 
>>Town'.
>>It is, however, pretty much 'That's Entertainment' to the tune of 'Going
>>Underground'
>
> I was going to *say* it sounded a lot like 'Going Underground', but I 
> thought it was coincidence.

Well, it is coincidence in the sense that it's not an official cover of 
'Going Underground' and Paul Weller isn't getting any money off it - but I 
don't think it's surprising if they've been listening to the Jam a lot.

>> and therefore superior to any of their previous singles. It
>>doesn't really sound like they believe in the line "Don't let it drag you
>>down" though.
>
> It actually climbed from its mid-week position, an accomplishment in 
> itself for a rock track - but don't expect to see it still in the top 40 
> next week.

IIRC it climbed and then dropped back, which makes me suspect that there was 
something wrong with the original posistion (a format missing perhaps?).

>>> Wham (re) #23,
>>
>>It took me about fifteen years to notice that this wasn't a terrible song.
>>But it is a terrible record.
>
> Heard Cascada's cover?

Nope, but I probably will.
The best version I can recall is the one by James Dean Bradfield.

>>> Andy Williams #25,
>>
>>Out on CD tomorrow.
>
> This is a genuine new entry of course, having never previously charted.

It was last week, at any rate.

>>> Wizzard (re) #27,
>>
>>I bet when Roy Wood looks at his royalty statements, he really does wish 
>>it
>>could be Christmas every day. Or at least every month.
>
> Grin.

Of course he did have other hits, but I somehow think this must be his most 
lucrative by a long chalk.

>>>Peter Gelderblom #29
>>
>>Apparently somebody else thinks that what the world really needs is more
>>records that sample (or at least recreate) one line from an oldish record.
>
> I like this one.


>>The victim in this case is 'By The Way' from the Red Hot Chili Peppers 
>>album
>>of five years ago.
>
> I didn't recognise it.

It sounds a bit like this, only with more lyrics and a chorus.
That may explain a lot, though; because if you liked the song, you mightn't 
take kindly to hearing it used this way - and if you don't hearing a little 
bit of it over and over again is just irritating.

>>> Top 40 : J Holiday #32,
>>
>>It has to be said that December doesn't seem the most obvious time to try
>>and launch a new RnB type on the UK market.
>
> To be fair, this first charted on downloads back in October...

True, but the label obviously scheduled the CD single for last week, which 
seems an odd decision.

>>> Shakin' Stevens (re) #33,
>>
>>This is really awful isn't it?
>
> Just wait 'til you hear Shawn the Sheep! :)

I have, and I think this is a lot worse.

>>>Foo Fighters #35,
>>
>>Chartwise at least, second singles from albums seem a bit of an Achilles
>>heel for Dave Grohl's band
>
> Not *just* for them, but for most rock bands.

I know that, but there's a particular thing about second hits from their 
albums, which invariably seem to underperform relative to any other measure 
of their popularity - admittedly they can often blame record company 
incompetence.
Another interesting thing I noticed about this single is that it's climbed 
to the top of the rock chart, so that must now be including downloads.

>>> Slade (re) #37 [yeah!],
>>
>>It's Christ-MAAAASSSS!
>>I wonder if there's any chance of it beating last year's position?
>
> I dunno - there's lots of Xmas competition this time, unlike last time 
> when eligibility was an issue.

I don't know either, but this is doing a bit better than I expected so it 
may be possible. We're pretty much in uncharted territory here.

>>>Band Aid (re) #38
>>
>>Was it just my imagination, or did they play an odd mix of it? BTW, Paul
>>McCartney wasn't there.
>
> I tend to ignore all the Band Aid singles!

I was counting myself lucky they played the original.

>>> 8 new entries & 5 re-entries!
>>
>>Once upon a time that wouldn't have been surprising.
>
> The 2nd part would.

OK, maybe a little.

>>> New outside the top 40 : Killers #43,
>>
>>Their second annual Christmas release. Haven't actually heard it myself.
>
> Presumably it'll go top 40 next week.

I think that's a fairly safe bet. I can't remember how last year's would 
have done.

>>>Dannii Minogue #48,
>>
>>I wonder if people were too cynical about the timing here?
>
> Promo was virtually invisible outside the TV music channels.

In theory she had the advantage of the X-Factor but I don't suppose she 
could actually have sung this on there.

>>> Chris Rea (re) #51,
>>
>>'Driving Home For Christmas', in case anybody was unsure.
>
> Followed up by 'Breathalised For Drink Driving At Xmas'? :)

There's probably some sort of 'Road To Hell' pun to be made somewhere as 
well.

>>>Scouting For Girls #53,
>>
>>Out on CD & 7" on the 17th.
>
> Just let the guy RIP, I say!

I'd be happy for Scouting for Girls to rest in peace too. Not that I want 
them to die or anything, just shut up.

>>>Babyshambles #54,
>>
>>By some way their lowest-charting single, and possibly the smallest hit 
>>Pete
>>Doherty's ever been involved in.

I tried looking this up and I don't think he's ever missed the Top 40 
before - the lowest position I can recall is 37 with 'What A Waster'.

> As he says here, "I never said it was
>>clever/I just like to get leathered", which may explain why he recently
>>failed to show up for one of his own gigs and a fan had to do the vocals.
>
> I guess his fans retaliated by going AWOL from the record shops. :)

You're assuming that a Babyshambles gig is made worse by members of the band 
not appearing, of course...

>>> James Blunt #57,
>>
>>It looks like the people who sent him to the top of the charts in 2005 
>>have
>>decided not to make the 'Same Mistake' again. The record company, however,
>>have made the fairly fresh mistake of releasing this on a one-track CD, so
>>that the (admittedly unexpectedly small) number of people who already have
>>the album are asked to pay £1:99 for a plastic case and a blurry 
>>photograph.
>
> The album climbs 10 to #14 though, so the single has done its job. At this 
> time of year, that could mean 40-50k sales.

It could, although the album is also very widely discounted at the moment, 
especially for such a recent release.
Anyway, I don't think the label figured on it being as low as 24 a month 
before Christmas.

>>> John Lennon (re) #60,
>>
>>Not forgetting Yoko Ono and the Harlem Community Choir.
>
> Actually, I prefer to. :)

I thought of that!

>>> QOTSA #61,
>>
>>Are you sure? The chart I'm looking at has Bing Crosby in this position! I
>>know they're easily confused...
>
> Damn! I don't know how that happened.

Well, you never see them in the same room at the same time do you? ;-)

> Anyhow this is the Xmas classics first chart appearance since 1998, with 
> it's highest chart position being #5 in 1977.

ie just after Bing died. Which reminds me that our old friends at Sweeping 
the Nation have the 1977 Christmas Top 40 over at 
http://sweepingthenation.blogspot.com/2007/12/only-chart-that-counted-1977.html


> Of course, had the charts been around in 1940 when it was first released, 
> 'White Christmas' would certainly have been a massive #1.

To be sure, although it's hard to imagine they could have been then.

>>> Tom Baxter #67,
>>
>>R2-adored singer/songwriter who's back with a new label after the success 
>>of
>>Blunt, Morrison et al. It's not obvious why they'd release the single now
>>when the album isn't out until January.
>
> This one slipped totally under the radar.

Well, I knew about it of course. But I didn't tip it as a possible Top 40 
hit, because it wasn't going to be one.

>>> Note this list maybe incomplete, as I didn't have the full top 75 when
>>> compiling my commentary
>>
>>The only other newcomer I can see is Rihanna at 68 (with 'Don't Stop The
>>Music') possibly because she's been over here.
>
> It's already accumulated 19 weeks in the top 200 since it first charted as 
> an album cut on 16th June.

But not in the Top 75 until now.

> It's not due out for full release until 11th Feb, but Mercury's hand may 
> be forced by rising download sales!

Possibly.

>>77: Paul McCartney ('Wonderful Christmastime')
>
> Cheesy, even for a Xmas song.

Indeed, and very dated production but it seems more likeable than some.

>>82: Elton John
>
> This one I don't recognise offhand.

It says 'Elton's Christmas EP', which is presumably an iTunes thing. 
Presumably the lead track is 'Step Into Christmas', and he also had a minor 
hit called 'Cold As Christmas' - but I dunno what the rest of it would be.

>>86: Cliff Richard ('Mistletoe And Wine')
>
> Please don't let it go top 40 again!

Which do you think is worse - this or 'Saviour's Day'?

>>87: Ian Brown - He's got the guest stars (Steve Jones, Paul Cook and some
>>famous bassist whose name slips my mind)

Paul Ryder, for anyone on tenterhooks...

>>and he even recorded a Japanese
>>vocal for the 7", but nobody seems very excited.
>
> Another one whose fanbase seems to have gone AWOL.

It's not a particularly strong single, but even so this is a remarkably poor 
sales level - probably his worst since the Eighties.

>>90: Aled Jones
>
> Not exactly a surprise - and should get a late boost, with 'The Snowman' 
> getting its annual appearance on the 24th.
>
> He's still very much around on the classical music scene of course, though 
> obviously no longer as a soprano!

No, I think he's probably fairly relieved about that, all told.

> Wonder how he feels about this song's annual reappearance?

I'm sure he appreciates the cash. He seems a good sport generally.

>>91: Ian Hunter
>
> Shouldda waited until January.

Maybe. Apparently the biggest-selling Mott The Hoople single was 'Roll Away 
The Stone' but that didn't get the chart glory it deserved either because it 
was around Christmas time.
Mind you, I can't imagine that even a minor hit for him would get noticed 
much now.

>>92: Fightstar - Note to the record industry: if you really think the
>>combined CD/vinyl format is such a good idea, why not launch it with an 
>>act
>>whose fans might actually have record players?
>
> Or indeed an act that actually *has* fans.

I'd guess they have about 1500 or so.

>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Leona holds at #1 for a 4th week by a significant margin.
>
> Possibly 180k sold last week.

180944, apparently.


>>> NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12
>>
>>It seems an amazingly quick follow-up, although of course the last one was
>>released late in Britain. Aside from the single, there are covers of
>>'Because The Night', 'SK8r Boi' and 'Just Like A Pill'.
>
> None of which are listed as the next single.

Don't keep us all in suspenders!
Are 'Runaway', 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Perfect Day' and 'What Do You 
Want From Me?' covers as well?

> A climb into the top 10 wouldn't surprise me this week, especially with 
> extra push of the full CD release, and the R1 chart show >airplay.

For the single, you mean?

>>> New outside the top 20 : U2 (Joshua Tree) #51,
>>
>>20th anniversary re-master available as a single CD, or with a bonus disc 
>>of
>>B-sides outtakes and so on, with that and a DVD (may contain explicit
>>footage of mullets)
>
> Fish pornography? :)

Worse than that - Bono's hair! No really, he did.
One of the bonus CD tracks, BTW, is the original version of the Top 3 hit 
'Sweetest Thing'.

>> or on two vinyl LPs.
>
> I guess U2 fans will at least be old enough to know what a record player 
> is.

Or retro enough, if they want to buy a twenty-year-old album. Of course, the 
original album was on one LP.

>>> Next Week
>>> ---------
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> The outcome is actually in some doubt this time!
>>>
>>> Leona still looks the most likely #1, but Soulja Boy might come close,
>>> possibly Cascada, or even a Xmas song? :)
>>
>>I don't think any of the Xmas songs are quite close enough yet
>
> Well, it's this week or nothing, with the X-F single out the following 
> week.

True, but statistically the odds are against an explicit Christmas song at 
the top.

>>, although we
>>can't entirely predict how they'll move. And Cascada haven't previously 
>>done
>>that well with post-album singles.
>
> But it *is* the first single from it.

It's the first one, yes, but nearly 50 thousand people have it on the album 
now.

>>> Top 10 : Soulja Boy, Cascada, Pogues & KM
>>
>>I wonder just how high the Pogues can go this time around, with physicals
>>and all?
>
> Top 5.

Probably.

>>> Top 20 : Andy Williams,
>>
>>Maybe even better than this, as he's within a few places already.
>
> I doubt the physical release will make much difference though - unless you 
> see zimmer-frame queues in the shops today. :)

Old people have already got it.

>>> Plain White T's,
>>
>>Why are they releasing a single now?
>
> To punish us for the last one not going to #1?

Well quite possibly. Alas, I didn't really expect them to give up totally 
after one hit, but the timing of this seems peculiar.

>>> Top 40 : Amy McDonald,
>>
>>Top 50 already, so I'd say this was about right. Still not sure why this 
>>is
>>selling so much better than her last one.
>
> More promo.

Where?

>>> Who knows how well Shawn the Sheep will do...
>>
>>People who've seen the pre-orders? He's obviously a popular character, so 
>>a
>>major hit is probable, but I suspect he won't sell many downloads.
>
> Fortunately the latter is essential for major chart success >nowadays.

Not absolutely - if you can sell enough physicals it doesn't matter. I 
presume that by bringing it forward to this week they had some intent to be 
this year's Nizlopi.

>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> Leona, probably until after Xmas now.
>>
>>So it seems. Radiohead may depose her after that.
>
> What - the album that all their fans have already had the chance to obtain 
> for free (or as little as they chose to pay)?

Although their fans could have (and many did) downloaded the previous three 
albums for free too - it was just official this time. People who paid for it 
might be a bigger problem though.

> Unless this physical release contains significant extras, I can't see it 
> getting anywhere near the top, regardless of how well their previous ones 
> did.

It's only a possibility because of the release date, I agree, which is 
presumably why it's coming out then. But remember that even after the 
digital release there are still the following potential markets:

1. Obessive Radiohead fans who buy everything
2. People who are unable or unwilling to download music
3. People who meant to download it but didn't get round to it (they took it 
offline today)
4. People who want the artwork
5. People who weren't happy with the sound quality of the download version
6. People who want to give it as a gift

Some of those people might have gone for the discbox version also sold on 
the website, but as it cost £40 not all of them would contemplate it.

    Chris

On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:10:13 GMT, Paul Hyett
 wrote:

>Just three weeks to go now...

Oh well...

>Singles
>-------
>Leona Lewis still #1, for a 7th week.

Will this ever stop ? 

>New Entries/Climbers
>--------------------
>Top 10 : Mariah Carey #8

great ! : ) What about Mariah for Xmas #1 ? ; > 

>Arctic Monkeys #20

at the end of the day, not so bad...

>Dannii Minogue #48

Poor Dannii... 

>Leona holds at #1 for a 4th week by a significant margin.

Will this ever stop ? ;PPP

>NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12
>
>New outside the top 20 : U2 (Joshua Tree) #51, Choirboys #61

This is so bad... 

>Next Week
>Leona still looks the most likely #1, but Soulja Boy might come close, 
>possibly Cascada, or even a Xmas song? :)

Xmas song, please ! ; >>> 

>Leona, probably until after Xmas now.

This is soooooo bad ! 

>No new entries likely until well into January,

And NE of the latest weeks haven't stormed the charts...

Cheers
Moor, so sad..
-- 
I wanted to tell you I changed 
I wanted to tell you that things would be different this time
But I see you, you see me differently [GA, 3.17]

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 10 Dec 2007, Moor  
wrote :
>
>>Singles
>>-------
>>Leona Lewis still #1, for a 7th week.
>
>Will this ever stop ?

Well, she can't have much blood left by now...
>
>>New Entries/Climbers
>>--------------------
>>Top 10 : Mariah Carey #8
>
>great ! : ) What about Mariah for Xmas #1 ? ; >

It has to be good promo for her new material due out in February, at 
least.
>
>>Leona holds at #1 for a 4th week by a significant margin.
>
>Will this ever stop ? ;PPP

Pretty soon, everyone who wants it (and many who don't) will have it...
>>
>>New outside the top 20 : U2 (Joshua Tree) #51, Choirboys #61
>
>This is so bad...

They why buy it? :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 10 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>
>>>>
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>> Leona Lewis still #1, for a 7th week.
>>>
>>>Zzzz.
>>
>> More like XxxxFfff...
>>
>>>Not the worst Number One ever, or even this week, but it's hard to
>>>enjoy a run this long.
>
>Er, I meant this *year* obviously.

Didn't even spot that. :)
>
>> At least I *liked* Umbrella.
>
>I probably liked it about as much as this, but as I say that becomes
>irrelevant after about a month.

I see McFly have done a bloody awful cover of Umbrella! :(
>
>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>> --------------------
>
>>>> Soulja Boy #10
>>
>> Only a 4 place climb, doesn't suggest it'll bridge the gap to the top. It
>> probably sold 12-15k this week, and it seems unlikely it would more than
>> double its sales through CD's alone.
>
>MW doesn't give a figure, but as Mariah only sold 13k at Number 8 and of
>course Elvis sold 9k, he might have done even worse than that.

Mind you, Leona sold under 30k at #1, so with just one week before the 
supposedly biggest chart of the year, the #1 might sell under 30k. :(
>
>>>> Elvis #13,
>>>
>>>And so we reach the end of this particular run of re-releases
>>
>> TF!
>
>I wonder what he did in 1959 or 1969 that they can mark the anniversary of?

I don't know, but they've already re-released most of his A-list 
material - so anything further will likely do even worse than the 50% 
sales drop between the 2005 & 2007 re-releases. Plus record shops will 
need to be increasingly wheelchair & zimmer-frame friendly to 
accommodate his fans... :)
>
>>>>Casacada #16,
>>>
>>>Out tomorrow on CD & 12"
>>>Already the highest-charting version of this song in the UK.
>>
>> Another solid candidate for top 5, next Sunday.
>
>Yes, especially now I know one of the formats has 'Last Christmas' on it.

I only *saw* one CD format - a 2-track with 'What Hurts The Most', and 
'Last Christmas' - effectively a double-A single.
>
>>>> Top 30 : Enemy #21,

>>>It is, however, pretty much 'That's Entertainment' to the tune of 'Going
>>>Underground'
>>
>> I was going to *say* it sounded a lot like 'Going Underground', but I
>> thought it was coincidence.
>
>Well, it is coincidence in the sense that it's not an official cover of
>'Going Underground' and Paul Weller isn't getting any money off it

Surely they owe him royalties for using the tune?
>>
>> It actually climbed from its mid-week position, an accomplishment in
>> itself for a rock track - but don't expect to see it still in the top 40
>> next week.
>
>IIRC it climbed and then dropped back, which makes me suspect that there was
>something wrong with the original posistion (a format missing perhaps?).

Makes more sense - and that suggests it might have started off top 15.
>
>>>> Wham (re) #23,
>>>
>>>It took me about fifteen years to notice that this wasn't a terrible song.
>>>But it is a terrible record.
>>
>> Heard Cascada's cover?
>
>Nope, but I probably will.

I won't complain about any video with the sexy Ms Horler in it, that's 
for sure! :)
>
>>>> Andy Williams #25,
>>>
>>>Out on CD tomorrow.
>>
>> This is a genuine new entry of course, having never previously charted.
>
>It was last week, at any rate.

I was referring to top 40 NE, of course - but if we're being pedantic, 
it was actually a NE at #144 on 1/12...
>
>>>>Peter Gelderblom #29
>
>>>The victim in this case is 'By The Way' from the Red Hot Chili Peppers
>>>album
>>>of five years ago.
>>
>> I didn't recognise it.
>
>It sounds a bit like this, only with more lyrics and a chorus.
>That may explain a lot, though; because if you liked the song, you mightn't
>take kindly to hearing it used this way - and if you don't hearing a little
>bit of it over and over again is just irritating.

Did I mention the curvy brunette in the video? :)
>
>>>> Top 40 : J Holiday #32,
>>>
>>>It has to be said that December doesn't seem the most obvious time to try
>>>and launch a new RnB type on the UK market.
>>
>> To be fair, this first charted on downloads back in October...
>
>True, but the label obviously scheduled the CD single for last week, which
>seems an odd decision.

Especially given its modest finishing position.
>
>>>>Foo Fighters #35,

>Another interesting thing I noticed about this single is that it's climbed
>to the top of the rock chart, so that must now be including downloads.

Not AFAIK.

There must have been some physical format available - it wouldn't have 
taken many copies to reach #15 on the Rock singles chart!
>
>>>> New outside the top 40 : Killers #43,
>>>
>>>Their second annual Christmas release. Haven't actually heard it myself.

If I were you, I wouldn't even try!
>>
>> Presumably it'll go top 40 next week.
>
>I think that's a fairly safe bet. I can't remember how last year's would
>have done.

#11 on downloads, so top 15 on combined if it had been eligible.
>
>>>>Dannii Minogue #48,
>>
>> Promo was virtually invisible outside the TV music channels.
>
>In theory she had the advantage of the X-Factor but I don't suppose she
>could actually have sung this on there.

Couldn't have been worse than the contestants...
>
>>>>Babyshambles #54,
>>>
>>>By some way their lowest-charting single, and possibly the smallest hit
>>>Pete
>>>Doherty's ever been involved in.
>
>I tried looking this up and I don't think he's ever missed the Top 40
>before - the lowest position I can recall is 37 with 'What A Waster'.

Very apt. :)
>
>>>> James Blunt #57,
>>>
>>>It looks like the people who sent him to the top of the charts in 2005
>>>have
>>>decided not to make the 'Same Mistake' again.
>>
>> The album climbs 10 to #14 though, so the single has done its job. At this
>> time of year, that could mean 40-50k sales.
>
>It could, although the album is also very widely discounted at the moment,
>especially for such a recent release.

But MOR albums tend to be a favourite 'easy choice' Xmas gift - Katie 
Melua's album is climbing too...

>Anyway, I don't think the label figured on it being as low as 24 a month
>before Christmas.

Or dropping out of the top 10 after just 5 weeks!
>
>>>>#61,
>>>
>>>Bing Crosby
>>
>> Anyhow this is the Xmas classics first chart appearance since 1998, with
>> it's highest chart position being #5 in 1977.
>
>ie just after Bing died.

Plus a lot more of his fans would have still been alive 30 years back...
>
>> Of course, had the charts been around in 1940 when it was first released,
>> 'White Christmas' would certainly have been a massive #1.
>
>To be sure, although it's hard to imagine they could have been

... around(?)...

> then.

The charts, you mean? America had a singles chart back in 1940...
>>>

>>>The only other newcomer I can see is Rihanna at 68 (with 'Don't Stop The
>>>Music') possibly because she's been over here.
>>
>> It's already accumulated 19 weeks in the top 200 since it first charted as
>> an album cut on 16th June.
>
>But not in the Top 75 until now.

Of course.
>
>> It's not due out for full release until 11th Feb, but Mercury's hand may
>> be forced by rising download sales!
>
>Possibly.

I don't know if I've even heard it.

>
>>>86: Cliff Richard ('Mistletoe And Wine')
>>
>> Please don't let it go top 40 again!
>
>Which do you think is worse - this or 'Saviour's Day'?

The latter!

>
>>>90: Aled Jones
>>
>> Not exactly a surprise - and should get a late boost, with 'The Snowman'
>> getting its annual appearance on the 24th.
>>
>> He's still very much around on the classical music scene of course, though
>> obviously no longer as a soprano!
>
>No, I think he's probably fairly relieved about that, all told.

Grin.
>
>> Wonder how he feels about this song's annual reappearance?
>
>I'm sure he appreciates the cash. He seems a good sport generally.

As long as he's not asked to perform it. :)
>
>>>92: Fightstar - Note to the record industry: if you really think the
>>>combined CD/vinyl format is such a good idea, why not launch it with an
>>>act
>>>whose fans might actually have record players?
>>
>> Or indeed an act that actually *has* fans.
>
>I'd guess they have about 1500 or so.

Or even fewer, who buy multiple download formats?

How do Fightstar still have a record deal?
>
>>>> Albums
>>>> ------
>>>> NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12
>>>
>>>It seems an amazingly quick follow-up, although of course the last one was
>>>released late in Britain. Aside from the single, there are covers of
>>>'Because The Night', 'SK8r Boi' and 'Just Like A Pill'.
>>
>> None of which are listed as the next single.
>
>Don't keep us all in suspenders!

Ahem!

>Are 'Runaway', 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Perfect Day' and 'What Do You
>Want From Me?' covers as well?

No, all four all have Yann 'Yanou' Peifer & Manuel 'Manian' Reuter 
listed as 'writers & composers', with the latter two each having another 
writer listed. Four other tracks have the above two names attached to 
them, too. They were responsible for seven of the 15 tracks on the first 
album, too.

Natalie gets the media attention, but they get the lions share of the 
royalties, as was surely always the plan.
>
>> A climb into the top 10 wouldn't surprise me this week, especially with
>> extra push of the full CD release, and the R1 chart show >airplay.
>
>For the single, you mean?

Single *and* album.
>
>>>> Next Week
>>>> ---------
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>, although we
>>>can't entirely predict how they'll move. And Cascada haven't previously
>>>done
>>>that well with post-album singles.
>>
>> But it *is* the first single from it.
>
>It's the first one, yes, but nearly 50 thousand people have it on the album
>now.

But 'Last Christmas' isn't on there...

I'm wondering if they're holding back a multi-track remix CD until after 
Xmas, as there *is* supposedly one out there.
>
>>>> Plain White T's,
>>>
>>>Why are they releasing a single now?
>>
>> To punish us for the last one not going to #1?
>
>Well quite possibly. Alas, I didn't really expect them to give up totally
>after one hit, but the timing of this seems peculiar.

The title of the single does some up very well how I feel about them, 
though. :)
>
>>>> Who knows how well Shawn the Sheep will do...
>>>
>>>People who've seen the pre-orders? He's obviously a popular character, so
>>>a
>>>major hit is probable, but I suspect he won't sell many downloads.
>>
>> Fortunately the latter is essential for major chart success >nowadays.
>
>Not absolutely - if you can sell enough physicals it doesn't matter.

But unless you win X-Factor, that's surely not gonna happen nowadays.

>I
>presume that by bringing it forward to this week they had some intent to be
>this year's Nizlopi.

But that had a cute video...
>
>>>> Albums
>>>> ------
>>>> Leona, probably until after Xmas now.
>>>
>>>So it seems. Radiohead may depose her after that.
>>
>> What - the album that all their fans have already had the chance to obtain
>> for free (or as little as they chose to pay)?
>
>Although their fans could have (and many did) downloaded the previous three
>albums for free too - it was just official this time. People who paid for it
>might be a bigger problem though.

Was it even known when the 'pay what you want' offer was announced, that 
it would later be released physically?
>
>> Unless this physical release contains significant extras, I can't see it
>> getting anywhere near the top, regardless of how well their previous ones
>> did.
>
>It's only a possibility because of the release date, I agree, which is
>presumably why it's coming out then. But remember that even after the
>digital release there are still the following potential markets:
>
>1. Obessive Radiohead fans who buy everything
>2. People who are unable or unwilling to download music
>3. People who meant to download it but didn't get round to it (they took it
>offline today)
>4. People who want the artwork
>5. People who weren't happy with the sound quality of the download version

This might be the most credible reason, from what I've heard.

>6. People who want to give it as a gift

Bit late, given that it's out in the 31st! :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:vOYX4ZIvvkXHFw73@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Mon, 10 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Singles
>>>>> -------

>>
>>> At least I *liked* Umbrella.
>>
>>I probably liked it about as much as this, but as I say that becomes
>>irrelevant after about a month.
>
> I see McFly have done a bloody awful cover of Umbrella! :(

It's not the worst thing I've ever heard, but it's not as good as their 
version of 'Born To Run'.
Now, Jack Penate's version of '1234' on the other hand...

>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>> --------------------
>>
>>>>> Soulja Boy #10
>>>
>>> Only a 4 place climb, doesn't suggest it'll bridge the gap to the top. 
>>> It
>>> probably sold 12-15k this week, and it seems unlikely it would more than
>>> double its sales through CD's alone.
>>
>>MW doesn't give a figure, but as Mariah only sold 13k at Number 8 and of
>>course Elvis sold 9k, he might have done even worse than that.
>
> Mind you, Leona sold under 30k at #1, so with just one week before the 
> supposedly biggest chart of the year, the #1 might sell under 30k. :(

Which'd be an odd fluke.

>>>>> Elvis #13,
>>>>
>>>>And so we reach the end of this particular run of re-releases
>>>
>>> TF!
>>
>>I wonder what he did in 1959 or 1969 that they can mark the anniversary 
>>of?
>
> I don't know, but they've already re-released most of his A-list 
> material - so anything further will likely do even worse than the 50% 
> sales drop between the 2005 & 2007 re-releases.

I don't know if the material itself is that important a factor, given that 
every release in each series sold roughly the same despite swingeing 
variation on familiarity and quality.

>>>>>Casacada #16,
>>>>
>>>>Out tomorrow on CD & 12"
>>>>Already the highest-charting version of this song in the UK.
>>>
>>> Another solid candidate for top 5, next Sunday.
>>
>>Yes, especially now I know one of the formats has 'Last Christmas' on it.
>
> I only *saw* one CD format - a 2-track with 'What Hurts The Most', and 
> 'Last Christmas' - effectively a double-A single.

There is a second CD of mixes as well, presumably because nobody's going to 
want that 2-track version after about the 27th.

>>>>> Top 30 : Enemy #21,
>
>>>>It is, however, pretty much 'That's Entertainment' to the tune of 'Going
>>>>Underground'
>>>
>>> I was going to *say* it sounded a lot like 'Going Underground', but I
>>> thought it was coincidence.
>>
>>Well, it is coincidence in the sense that it's not an official cover of
>>'Going Underground' and Paul Weller isn't getting any money off it
>
> Surely they owe him royalties for using the tune?

Only if he can prove they intentionally copied his work substantially 
without permission - and the test for that is a bit stronger than "it sounds 
a bit like".
Besides, if he sued he might find himself owing George Harrison's estate a 
few quid.



>>>>> Andy Williams #25,
>>>>
>>>>Out on CD tomorrow.
>>>
>>> This is a genuine new entry of course, having never previously charted.
>>
>>It was last week, at any rate.
>
> I was referring to top 40 NE, of course - but if we're being pedantic, it 
> was actually a NE at #144 on 1/12...

Fair point.


>>>>> Top 40 : J Holiday #32,
>>>>
>>>>It has to be said that December doesn't seem the most obvious time to 
>>>>try
>>>>and launch a new RnB type on the UK market.
>>>
>>> To be fair, this first charted on downloads back in October...
>>
>>True, but the label obviously scheduled the CD single for last week, which
>>seems an odd decision.
>
> Especially given its modest finishing position.

As I say, it's not an easy time for an act people don't already know about 
to get noticed.

>>>>>Foo Fighters #35,
>
>>Another interesting thing I noticed about this single is that it's climbed
>>to the top of the rock chart, so that must now be including downloads.
>
> Not AFAIK.
>
> There must have been some physical format available - it wouldn't have 
> taken many copies to reach #15 on the Rock singles chart!

It may have been charting on import I suppose.

>>>>> New outside the top 40 : Killers #43,
>>>>
>>>>Their second annual Christmas release. Haven't actually heard it myself.
>
> If I were you, I wouldn't even try!

And that's exactly why I haven't.

>>>>>Dannii Minogue #48,
>>>
>>> Promo was virtually invisible outside the TV music channels.
>>
>>In theory she had the advantage of the X-Factor but I don't suppose she
>>could actually have sung this on there.
>
> Couldn't have been worse than the contestants...

Possibly against broadcasting rules though.


>>>>> James Blunt #57,
>>>>
>>>>It looks like the people who sent him to the top of the charts in 2005
>>>>have
>>>>decided not to make the 'Same Mistake' again.
>>>
>>> The album climbs 10 to #14 though, so the single has done its job. At 
>>> this
>>> time of year, that could mean 40-50k sales.
>>
>>It could, although the album is also very widely discounted at the moment,
>>especially for such a recent release.
>
> But MOR albums tend to be a favourite 'easy choice' Xmas gift - Katie 
> Melua's album is climbing too...

They do indeed - where's the contradiction?

>>Anyway, I don't think the label figured on it being as low as 24 a month
>>before Christmas.
>
> Or dropping out of the top 10 after just 5 weeks!

Well quite. Somebody on a forum compared this to what happened to Daniel 
Bedingfield, which brought me up short.

>>>>>#61,
>>>>
>>>>Bing Crosby
>>>
>>> Anyhow this is the Xmas classics first chart appearance since 1998, with
>>> it's highest chart position being #5 in 1977.
>>
>>ie just after Bing died.
>
> Plus a lot more of his fans would have still been alive 30 years back...

It's not a fatal disease.

>>> Of course, had the charts been around in 1940 when it was first 
>>> released,
>>> 'White Christmas' would certainly have been a massive #1.
>>
>>To be sure, although it's hard to imagine they could have been
>
> ... around(?)...

Yes, that's interpolated...

>> then.
>
> The charts, you mean? America had a singles chart back in 1940...

I don't know if anybody's mentioned this, but there was a war on over here 
in 1940.

>>>86: Cliff Richard ('Mistletoe And Wine')
>>>
>>> Please don't let it go top 40 again!
>>
>>Which do you think is worse - this or 'Saviour's Day'?
>
> The latter!

I've given this some (probably too much!) thought. I slightly come down in 
favour of 'Saviour's Day' because it at least acknowledges the reason for 
the festivities.

>>>>90: Aled Jones
>>>
>>> Not exactly a surprise - and should get a late boost, with 'The Snowman'
>>> getting its annual appearance on the 24th.
>>>
>>> He's still very much around on the classical music scene of course, 
>>> though
>>> obviously no longer as a soprano!
>>
>>No, I think he's probably fairly relieved about that, all told.
>
> Grin.
>>
>>> Wonder how he feels about this song's annual reappearance?
>>
>>I'm sure he appreciates the cash. He seems a good sport generally.
>
> As long as he's not asked to perform it. :)

I have an idea that he actually has done a duet with his younger self. But 
not on this song.

>>>>92: Fightstar - Note to the record industry: if you really think the
>>>>combined CD/vinyl format is such a good idea, why not launch it with an
>>>>act
>>>>whose fans might actually have record players?
>>>
>>> Or indeed an act that actually *has* fans.
>>
>>I'd guess they have about 1500 or so.
>
> Or even fewer, who buy multiple download formats?

Apparently they sold 1498 of this format - so I may revise my guess down 
slightly, to account for multiple purchases and people who only bought it 
for the novelty.

> How do Fightstar still have a record deal?

Because they're on a fairly small label that can afford not to sell millions 
of copies of everything.

>>>>> Albums
>>>>> ------
>>>>> NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12
>>>>

>>Are 'Runaway', 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Perfect Day' and 'What Do You
>>Want From Me?' covers as well?
>
> No, all four all have Yann 'Yanou' Peifer & Manuel 'Manian' Reuter listed 
> as 'writers & composers', with the latter two each having another writer 
> listed. Four other tracks have the above two names attached to them, too. 
> They were responsible for seven of the 15 tracks on the first album, too.

I just wondered because I knew other songs of those names.

> Natalie gets the media attention, but they get the lions share of the 
> royalties, as was surely always the plan.

The single artwork actually says "vocals by Natalie Horler" as if she isn't 
even in the band.

>>> A climb into the top 10 wouldn't surprise me this week, especially with
>>> extra push of the full CD release, and the R1 chart show >airplay.
>>
>>For the single, you mean?
>
> Single *and* album.

Against the grain for an album in a non-mainstream genre to climb in its 
second week - especially when overall sales must be increasing.

>>>>> Next Week
>>>>> ---------
>>>>> Singles
>>>>> -------
>>>>, although we
>>>>can't entirely predict how they'll move. And Cascada haven't previously
>>>>done
>>>>that well with post-album singles.
>>>
>>> But it *is* the first single from it.
>>
>>It's the first one, yes, but nearly 50 thousand people have it on the 
>>album
>>now.
>
> But 'Last Christmas' isn't on there...

No, but OTOH it is only a B-side, and presumably at least some of the people 
who bought the album made a conscious decision not to get the single.

> I'm wondering if they're holding back a multi-track remix CD until after 
> Xmas, as there *is* supposedly one out there.

As above, it really does exaist. But shops may be concentrating on the other 
version.

>>>>> Who knows how well Shawn the Sheep will do...
>>>>
>>>>People who've seen the pre-orders? He's obviously a popular character, 
>>>>so
>>>>a
>>>>major hit is probable, but I suspect he won't sell many downloads.
>>>
>>> Fortunately the latter is essential for major chart success >nowadays.
>>
>>Not absolutely - if you can sell enough physicals it doesn't matter.
>
> But unless you win X-Factor, that's surely not gonna happen nowadays.

Probably not, although the record company may have been thinking of Bob The 
Builder, who lest we forget had the biggest-selling CD single of 2000 on 
only three weeks' sales.

>>I
>>presume that by bringing it forward to this week they had some intent to 
>>be
>>this year's Nizlopi.
>
> But that had a cute video...

So has this - indeed I'd say that was the best thing it has going for it.

>>>>> Albums
>>>>> ------
>>>>> Leona, probably until after Xmas now.
>>>>
>>>>So it seems. Radiohead may depose her after that.
>>>
>>> What - the album that all their fans have already had the chance to 
>>> obtain
>>> for free (or as little as they chose to pay)?
>>
>>Although their fans could have (and many did) downloaded the previous 
>>three
>>albums for free too - it was just official this time. People who paid for 
>>it
>>might be a bigger problem though.
>
> Was it even known when the 'pay what you want' offer was announced, that 
> it would later be released physically?

Not entirely, as they were still in talks with labels at the time - but IIRC 
by the time you could actually redeem the download they'd said publicly that 
they were intending to put it out on physicals. They certainly never said 
they wouldn't.

>>> Unless this physical release contains significant extras, I can't see it
>>> getting anywhere near the top, regardless of how well their previous 
>>> ones
>>> did.
>>
>>It's only a possibility because of the release date, I agree, which is
>>presumably why it's coming out then. But remember that even after the
>>digital release there are still the following potential markets:
>>
>>1. Obessive Radiohead fans who buy everything
>>5. People who weren't happy with the sound quality of the download version
>
> This might be the most credible reason, from what I've heard.

FWIW, the files are 160k MP3, which is lower quality than I'd usually buy - 
the band claim in their defence that it's a higher bitrate than iTunes, but 
(apparently) aac files are more efficient.

>>6. People who want to give it as a gift
>
> Bit late, given that it's out in the 31st! :)

People have birthdays, you know.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Tue, 11 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>
>> I see McFly have done a bloody awful cover of Umbrella! :(
>
>It's not the worst thing I've ever heard, but it's not as good as their
>version of 'Born To Run'.
>Now, Jack Penate's version of '1234' on the other hand...

Surely that'd apply to a Penate version of anything? :)
>
>>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>>> --------------------
>>
>> Mind you, Leona sold under 30k at #1, so with just one week before the
>> supposedly biggest chart of the year, the #1 might sell under 30k. :(
>
>Which'd be an odd fluke.

The curve of sales, plotted against chart position, is getting ever 
flatter, thank to downloads.

If you add together the estimated average sales for each position in the 
top 75, it comes to around 450k, which is only around 30% of a typical 
weekly singles sales figure.

Three years ago, before downloads were included, that figure was more 
like 70% (425k top 75, 600k overall).
>>
Re : Elvis.

>> I don't know, but they've already re-released most of his A-list
>> material - so anything further will likely do even worse than the 50%
>> sales drop between the 2005 & 2007 re-releases.
>
>I don't know if the material itself is that important a factor, given that
>every release in each series sold roughly the same despite swingeing
>variation on familiarity and quality.

Yes, but each release in this series sold less than half of the one in 
2005...
>
>>>>>>Casacada #16,
>>
>> I only *saw* one CD format - a 2-track with 'What Hurts The Most', and
>> 'Last Christmas' - effectively a double-A single.
>
>There is a second CD of mixes as well, presumably because nobody's going to
>want that 2-track version after about the 27th.

Neither local shop has that one, otherwise I might have bought it. I 
might have asked at the till, but with the time of year, there were long 
queues...
>
>>>>>> Top 30 : Enemy #21,
>>
>>>>>It is, however, pretty much 'That's Entertainment' to the tune of 'Going
>>>>>Underground'
>>>>
>>>> I was going to *say* it sounded a lot like 'Going Underground', but I
>>>> thought it was coincidence.
>>>
>>>Well, it is coincidence in the sense that it's not an official cover of
>>>'Going Underground' and Paul Weller isn't getting any money off it
>>
>> Surely they owe him royalties for using the tune?
>
>Only if he can prove they intentionally copied his work substantially
>without permission - and the test for that is a bit stronger than "it sounds
>a bit like".
>Besides, if he sued he might find himself owing George Harrison's estate a
>few quid.

Need I ask?
>
>>>>>>Foo Fighters #35,
>>
>>>Another interesting thing I noticed about this single is that it's climbed
>>>to the top of the rock chart, so that must now be including downloads.
>>
>> Not AFAIK.
>>
>> There must have been some physical format available - it wouldn't have
>> taken many copies to reach #15 on the Rock singles chart!
>
>It may have been charting on import I suppose.

Good point - I assume you know whether it was available that way?
>
>>>>>>Dannii Minogue #48,
>>>>
>>>> Promo was virtually invisible outside the TV music channels.
>>>
>>>In theory she had the advantage of the X-Factor but I don't suppose she
>>>could actually have sung this on there.
>>
>> Couldn't have been worse than the contestants...
>
>Possibly against broadcasting rules though.

What, showing how bad the contestants actually are, compared to someone 
who's actually *had* a substantial music career? :)
>
>>>>>> James Blunt #57,
>>>>
>>>> The album climbs 10 to #14 though, so the single has done its job. At
>>>> this
>>>> time of year, that could mean 40-50k sales.
>>>
>>>It could, although the album is also very widely discounted at the moment,
>>>especially for such a recent release.
>>
>> But MOR albums tend to be a favourite 'easy choice' Xmas gift - Katie
>> Melua's album is climbing too...
>
>They do indeed - where's the contradiction?

Having seen the mids, it looks likely there's a completely separate 
reason for Katie's album to climb...

>>
>> The charts, you mean? America had a singles chart back in 1940...
>
>I don't know if anybody's mentioned this, but there was a war on over here
>in 1940.

Didn't stop people listening to music, though - that was one thing that 
*wasn't* rationed...
>
>> How do Fightstar still have a record deal?
>
>Because they're on a fairly small label that can afford not to sell millions
>of copies of everything.

Small? With sales of just 1500, they must be microscopic... :)
>
>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>> ------
>>>>>> NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12
>>>>>
>
>> Natalie gets the media attention, but they get the lions share of the
>> royalties, as was surely always the plan.
>
>The single artwork actually says "vocals by Natalie Horler" as if she isn't
>even in the band.

I just checked the album cover info for 'Perfect Day', and Natalie's 
name isn't mentioned *anywhere*! She does write the acknowledgements, 
though.
>
>>>> A climb into the top 10 wouldn't surprise me this week, especially with
>>>> extra push of the full CD release, and the R1 chart show >airplay.
>>>
>>>For the single, you mean?
>>
>> Single *and* album.
>
>Against the grain for an album in a non-mainstream genre to climb in its
>second week - especially when overall sales must be increasing.

But their previous album climbed against the grain, so...
>>
>> But 'Last Christmas' isn't on there...
>
>No, but OTOH it is only a B-side, and presumably at least some of the people
>who bought the album made a conscious decision not to get the single.

But 'Last Christmas' has its own video, so it's more than *just* a 
b-side...
>
>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>> ------
>>>>>
>>>>>Radiohead
>>
>> Was it even known when the 'pay what you want' offer was announced, that
>> it would later be released physically?
>
>Not entirely, as they were still in talks with labels at the time - but IIRC
>by the time you could actually redeem the download they'd said publicly that
>they were intending to put it out on physicals. They certainly never said
>they wouldn't.

It won't be competing against new albums that week, of course - but 
there will certainly be strong competition from cut-price old ones.
>
>>>But remember that even after the
>>>digital release there are still the following potential markets:
>>>
>>>5. People who weren't happy with the sound quality of the download version
>>
>> This might be the most credible reason, from what I've heard.
>
>FWIW, the files are 160k MP3, which is lower quality than I'd usually buy -
>the band claim in their defence that it's a higher bitrate than iTunes, but
>(apparently) aac files are more efficient.

The files that Nero churns out for my MP3 player are just 80k, but I 
find that perfectly acceptable. I notice very little difference from 
between them, and the original Wav's.
>
>>>6. People who want to give it as a gift
>>
>> Bit late, given that it's out in the 31st! :)
>
>People have birthdays, you know.

Not all of them in January, though... :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

In uk.music.charts on Wed, 12 Dec 2007, Paul Hyett 
 wrote :
>>
>>>>>>>Casacada #16,
>>
>>There is a second CD of mixes as well, presumably because nobody's going to
>>want that 2-track version after about the 27th.
>
>Neither local shop has that one, otherwise I might have bought it. I 
>might have asked at the till, but with the time of year, there were 
>long queues...

Found it - it was carefully 'displayed' behind the two-track singles...
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:oRkm$6CfA5XHFwLn@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Tue, 11 Dec 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>>>
>>> I see McFly have done a bloody awful cover of Umbrella! :(
>>
>>It's not the worst thing I've ever heard, but it's not as good as their
>>version of 'Born To Run'.
>>Now, Jack Penate's version of '1234' on the other hand...
>
> Surely that'd apply to a Penate version of anything? :)

It would appear so, given that he only appears to know one riff and applies 
it to any song he performs.

>>>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>>>> --------------------
>>>

> Re : Elvis.
>
>>> I don't know, but they've already re-released most of his A-list
>>> material - so anything further will likely do even worse than the 50%
>>> sales drop between the 2005 & 2007 re-releases.
>>
>>I don't know if the material itself is that important a factor, given that
>>every release in each series sold roughly the same despite swingeing
>>variation on familiarity and quality.
>
> Yes, but each release in this series sold less than half of the one in
> 2005...

And that's exactly my point - tracks like 'Suspicious Minds' or 'Blue Suede 
Shoes' are surely more popular than 'Surrender' for example.

>>>>>>>Casacada #16,
>>>
>>> I only *saw* one CD format - a 2-track with 'What Hurts The Most', and
>>> 'Last Christmas' - effectively a double-A single.
>>
>>There is a second CD of mixes as well, presumably because nobody's going
>>to
>>want that 2-track version after about the 27th.
>
> Neither local shop has that one, otherwise I might have bought it. I might
> have asked at the till, but with the time of year, there were long
> queues...

I tend to the view that if shops can't be bothered to put something where I 
can find it, they don't deserve my money.

>>>>>>> Top 30 : Enemy #21,
>>>

>>>>
>>>>Well, it is coincidence in the sense that it's not an official cover of
>>>>'Going Underground' and Paul Weller isn't getting any money off it
>>>
>>> Surely they owe him royalties for using the tune?
>>
>>Only if he can prove they intentionally copied his work substantially
>>without permission - and the test for that is a bit stronger than "it
>>sounds
>>a bit like".
>>Besides, if he sued he might find himself owing George Harrison's estate a
>>few quid.
>
> Need I ask?

'Start!'

>>>>>>>Foo Fighters #35,
>>>
>>>>Another interesting thing I noticed about this single is that it's
>>>>climbed
>>>>to the top of the rock chart, so that must now be including downloads.
>>>
>>> Not AFAIK.
>>>
>>> There must have been some physical format available - it wouldn't have
>>> taken many copies to reach #15 on the Rock singles chart!
>>
>>It may have been charting on import I suppose.
>
> Good point - I assume you know whether it was available that way?

I have no idea, but it seems the obvious possibility.

>>>>>>>Dannii Minogue #48,
>>>>>
>>>>> Promo was virtually invisible outside the TV music channels.
>>>>
>>>>In theory she had the advantage of the X-Factor but I don't suppose she
>>>>could actually have sung this on there.
>>>
>>> Couldn't have been worse than the contestants...
>>
>>Possibly against broadcasting rules though.
>
> What, showing how bad the contestants actually are, compared to someone
> who's actually *had* a substantial music career? :)

Says something that hers looks like a substantial career compared to them, 
doesn't it?
But seriously, there are some rules about self-promotion - and besides, you 
wouldn't want Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh to start singing as well would 
you?

>>>>>>> James Blunt #57,
>>>>>
>>>>> The album climbs 10 to #14 though, so the single has done its job. At
>>>>> this
>>>>> time of year, that could mean 40-50k sales.
>>>>
>>>>It could, although the album is also very widely discounted at the
>>>>moment,
>>>>especially for such a recent release.
>>>
>>> But MOR albums tend to be a favourite 'easy choice' Xmas gift - Katie
>>> Melua's album is climbing too...
>>
>>They do indeed - where's the contradiction?
>
> Having seen the mids, it looks likely there's a completely separate reason
> for Katie's album to climb...

If they're in the supermarket anyway, maybe.

>>> The charts, you mean? America had a singles chart back in 1940...
>>
>>I don't know if anybody's mentioned this, but there was a war on over here
>>in 1940.
>
> Didn't stop people listening to music, though - that was one thing that
> *wasn't* rationed...

Are you sure about that? Obviously people listened to the wireless but I 
think there was some restriction on the manufacture of discs. More to the 
point, I think a chart would have been difficult to compile under those 
circumstances.

>>> How do Fightstar still have a record deal?
>>
>>Because they're on a fairly small label that can afford not to sell
>>millions
>>of copies of everything.
>
> Small? With sales of just 1500, they must be microscopic... :)

Maybe they just invested the Crazy Frog money wisely.

>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>> NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12
>>>>>>

>>>>> A climb into the top 10 wouldn't surprise me this week, especially
>>>>> with
>>>>> extra push of the full CD release, and the R1 chart show >airplay.
>>>>
>>>>For the single, you mean?
>>>
>>> Single *and* album.
>>
>>Against the grain for an album in a non-mainstream genre to climb in its
>>second week - especially when overall sales must be increasing.
>
> But their previous album climbed against the grain, so...

Not at Christmas time.

>>> But 'Last Christmas' isn't on there...
>>
>>No, but OTOH it is only a B-side, and presumably at least some of the
>>people
>>who bought the album made a conscious decision not to get the single.
>
> But 'Last Christmas' has its own video, so it's more than *just* a
> b-side...

It's a B-side with a video.

>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Radiohead
>>>
>>> Was it even known when the 'pay what you want' offer was announced, that
>>> it would later be released physically?
>>
>>Not entirely, as they were still in talks with labels at the time - but
>>IIRC
>>by the time you could actually redeem the download they'd said publicly
>>that
>>they were intending to put it out on physicals. They certainly never said
>>they wouldn't.
>
> It won't be competing against new albums that week, of course - but there
> will certainly be strong competition from cut-price old ones.

Of course. Mind you, with so many special offers in the pre-Christmas period 
the January sales are losing their lustre a bit.

>>>>But remember that even after the
>>>>digital release there are still the following potential markets:
>>>>
>>>>5. People who weren't happy with the sound quality of the download
>>>>version
>>>
>>> This might be the most credible reason, from what I've heard.
>>
>>FWIW, the files are 160k MP3, which is lower quality than I'd usually
>>buy -
>>the band claim in their defence that it's a higher bitrate than iTunes,
>>but
>>(apparently) aac files are more efficient.
>
> The files that Nero churns out for my MP3 player are just 80k, but I find
> that perfectly acceptable. I notice very little difference from between
> them, and the original Wav's.

Fair enough - but these are files you've copied from your own CDs aren't 
they? I'd set higher standards for digital files that were my only copy of 
the track than ones I was only using for sync.
At the very least, I do consider it slightly sharp practice on Radiohead's 
part not to announce the bitrate until they'd taken (some) people's money.

>>>>6. People who want to give it as a gift
>>>
>>> Bit late, given that it's out in the 31st! :)
>>
>>People have birthdays, you know.
>
> Not all of them in January, though... :)

No, but any date will be in time for somebody's birthday.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Wed, 12 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>
>>>>>>>>Casacada #16,
>>>>
>>>> I only *saw* one CD format - a 2-track with 'What Hurts The Most', and
>>>> 'Last Christmas' - effectively a double-A single.
>>>
>>>There is a second CD of mixes as well, presumably because nobody's going
>>>to
>>>want that 2-track version after about the 27th.
>>
>> Neither local shop has that one, otherwise I might have bought it. I might
>> have asked at the till, but with the time of year, there were long
>> queues...
>
>I tend to the view that if shops can't be bothered to put something where I
>can find it, they don't deserve my money.
>
Hence the problem of declining physical sales...
>
>>>>>>>>Dannii Minogue #48,
>>>>>
>>>>>In theory she had the advantage of the X-Factor but I don't suppose she
>>>>>could actually have sung this on there.
>>>>
>>>> Couldn't have been worse than the contestants...
>>>
>>>Possibly against broadcasting rules though.
>>
>> What, showing how bad the contestants actually are, compared to someone
>> who's actually *had* a substantial music career? :)
>
>Says something that hers looks like a substantial career compared to them,
>doesn't it?

>But seriously, there are some rules about self-promotion - and besides, you
>wouldn't want Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh to start singing as well would
>you?

On the subject of showing up the contestants, this weekend's guest 
singers are Jason Donovan, Kylie, and Katherine Jenkins!

Kylie & Jason won't be singing together, though - fortunately. :)

At least you know in advance whose music is likely to get a chart boost 
next week. The XF effect is almost as dramatic as the TOTP factor was in 
the 80's.
>>>>
>>>> But MOR albums tend to be a favourite 'easy choice' Xmas gift - Katie
>>>> Melua's album is climbing too...
>>>
>>>They do indeed - where's the contradiction?
>>
>> Having seen the mids, it looks likely there's a completely separate reason
>> for Katie's album to climb...
>
>If they're in the supermarket anyway, maybe.

Well, when I bought the single, Katie's album was 'coincidentally' right 
next to it...
>
>>>> How do Fightstar still have a record deal?
>>>
>>>Because they're on a fairly small label that can afford not to sell
>>>millions
>>>of copies of everything.
>>
>> Small? With sales of just 1500, they must be microscopic... :)
>
>Maybe they just invested the Crazy Frog money wisely.

Are you outing Charlie 'Busted' as Crazy Frog? :)
>
>>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>>> NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> A climb into the top 10 wouldn't surprise me this week, especially
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> extra push of the full CD release, and the R1 chart show >airplay.
>>>>>
>>>>>For the single, you mean?
>>>>
>>>> Single *and* album.
>>>
>>>Against the grain for an album in a non-mainstream genre to climb in its
>>>second week - especially when overall sales must be increasing.
>>
>> But their previous album climbed against the grain, so...
>
>Not at Christmas time.

So? You don't expect it at *any* time, so I don't see why Xmas would be 
any different in that respect?
>>>
>>>No, but OTOH it is only a B-side, and presumably at least some of the
>>>people
>>>who bought the album made a conscious decision not to get the single.
>>
>> But 'Last Christmas' has its own video, so it's more than *just* a
>> b-side...
>
>It's a B-side with a video.

How often does *that* happen, though?
>
>>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Radiohead
>>
>> It won't be competing against new albums that week, of course - but there
>> will certainly be strong competition from cut-price old ones.
>
>Of course. Mind you, with so many special offers in the pre-Christmas period
>the January sales are losing their lustre a bit.

I'm waiting to see if, for once, they'll discount any albums *I* want to 
buy...

>At the very least, I do consider it slightly sharp practice on Radiohead's
>part not to announce the bitrate until they'd taken (some) people's money.

They probably figured  most people wouldn't pay a penny, so they got 
what they paid for...
>
>>>>>6. People who want to give it as a gift
>>>>
>>>> Bit late, given that it's out in the 31st! :)
>>>
>>>People have birthdays, you know.
>>
>> Not all of them in January, though... :)
>
>No, but any date will be in time for somebody's birthday.

But you're not going to buy it in January for someone whose birthday is 
in August...
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:zFSga7B5rNYHFwQS@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Wed, 12 Dec 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>>
>>>>>>>>>Casacada #16,
>>>>>
>>>>> I only *saw* one CD format - a 2-track with 'What Hurts The Most', and
>>>>> 'Last Christmas' - effectively a double-A single.
>>>>
>>>>There is a second CD of mixes as well, presumably because nobody's going
>>>>to
>>>>want that 2-track version after about the 27th.
>>>
>>> Neither local shop has that one, otherwise I might have bought it. I
>>> might
>>> have asked at the till, but with the time of year, there were long
>>> queues...
>>
>>I tend to the view that if shops can't be bothered to put something where
>>I
>>can find it, they don't deserve my money.
>>
> Hence the problem of declining physical sales...

I don't think I'm personally responsible for all of it. ;-)
But yes, there may possibly be some element of a vicious circle.

> On the subject of showing up the contestants, this weekend's guest singers
> are Jason Donovan, Kylie, and Katherine Jenkins!
>
> Kylie & Jason won't be singing together, though - fortunately. :)
>
> At least you know in advance whose music is likely to get a chart boost
> next week. The XF effect is almost as dramatic as the TOTP factor was in
> the 80's.

Although if it's true that they're going to be singing festive material, 
that may undermine it a bit. I suppose Kylie could do 'Santa Baby'.


>>>>> But MOR albums tend to be a favourite 'easy choice' Xmas gift - Katie
>>>>> Melua's album is climbing too...
>>>>
>>>>They do indeed - where's the contradiction?
>>>
>>> Having seen the mids, it looks likely there's a completely separate
>>> reason
>>> for Katie's album to climb...
>>
>>If they're in the supermarket anyway, maybe.
>
> Well, when I bought the single, Katie's album was 'coincidentally' right
> next to it...

Although this track isn't on there, of course.

BTW, I presume this track will be 2007's first (and only) Number One single 
on an independent label.

>>>>> How do Fightstar still have a record deal?
>>>>
>>>>Because they're on a fairly small label that can afford not to sell
>>>>millions
>>>>of copies of everything.
>>>
>>> Small? With sales of just 1500, they must be microscopic... :)
>>
>>Maybe they just invested the Crazy Frog money wisely.
>
> Are you outing Charlie 'Busted' as Crazy Frog? :)

Some people would say that wasn't as embarrasing as being in Busted!
Of course, I'm referring to the fact that it's the same label who brought us 
the Frog (twice!) as well as the Tom Jones duets album and Right Said Fred. 
But you knew that.

>>>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>>>> NE's (top 20) : Cascada #12
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A climb into the top 10 wouldn't surprise me this week, especially
>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>> extra push of the full CD release, and the R1 chart show >airplay.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>For the single, you mean?
>>>>>
>>>>> Single *and* album.
>>>>
>>>>Against the grain for an album in a non-mainstream genre to climb in its
>>>>second week - especially when overall sales must be increasing.
>>>
>>> But their previous album climbed against the grain, so...
>>
>>Not at Christmas time.
>
> So? You don't expect it at *any* time, so I don't see why Xmas would be
> any different in that respect?

Because you'd normally expect overall sales to be going up in these few 
weeks, thus making it harder for any one release to climb.

>>>>No, but OTOH it is only a B-side, and presumably at least some of the
>>>>people
>>>>who bought the album made a conscious decision not to get the single.
>>>
>>> But 'Last Christmas' has its own video, so it's more than *just* a
>>> b-side...
>>
>>It's a B-side with a video.
>
> How often does *that* happen, though?

Often-ish, albeit mostly with tracks that are A-sides elsewhere or have some 
other unusual reason.

>>>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Radiohead
>>>
>>> It won't be competing against new albums that week, of course - but
>>> there
>>> will certainly be strong competition from cut-price old ones.
>>
>>Of course. Mind you, with so many special offers in the pre-Christmas
>>period
>>the January sales are losing their lustre a bit.
>
> I'm waiting to see if, for once, they'll discount any albums *I* want to
> buy...

Part of the problem IMO is that they're all so standardised nowadays. Once 
upon a time they were fun to browse through.

>>At the very least, I do consider it slightly sharp practice on Radiohead's
>>part not to announce the bitrate until they'd taken (some) people's money.
>
> They probably figured  most people wouldn't pay a penny, so they got what
> they paid for...

Being Radiohead, though, they must have know full well that some people 
would pay plenty for it.

>>>>>>6. People who want to give it as a gift
>>>>>
>>>>> Bit late, given that it's out in the 31st! :)
>>>>
>>>>People have birthdays, you know.
>>>
>>> Not all of them in January, though... :)
>>
>>No, but any date will be in time for somebody's birthday.
>
> But you're not going to buy it in January for someone whose birthday is in
> August...

Probably not, but so what? If they released the album in August people 
wouldn't say it was too late for July would they?

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Thu, 13 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>>
>>>I tend to the view that if shops can't be bothered to put something where
>>>I
>>>can find it, they don't deserve my money.
>>>
>> Hence the problem of declining physical sales...
>
>I don't think I'm personally responsible for all of it. ;-)
>But yes, there may possibly be some element of a vicious circle.

That's definitely my take on it.

It's like when a TV channel wants to get rid of a popular show - they 
move it from its popular timeslot to somewhere only the most dedicated 
fans will look for it, *then* use the consequent drop in audience as an 
'excuse' to cancel it altogether. :(
>
>> On the subject of showing up the contestants, this weekend's guest singers
>> are Jason Donovan, Kylie, and Katherine Jenkins!
>>
>> At least you know in advance whose music is likely to get a chart boost
>> next week. The XF effect is almost as dramatic as the TOTP factor was in
>> the 80's.
>
>Although if it's true that they're going to be singing festive material,
>that may undermine it a bit. I suppose Kylie could do 'Santa Baby'.

Until Wednesday I'd never heard that song, but it happened to be playing 
in Woolies while I was looking for the Cascada single.

In any case, an XF appearance tends to benefit an artist's 
back-catalogue in general. Certainly in the case of Katherine Jenkins, 
it'll be her largest ever UK TV audience - probably 10m+, which is bound 
to benefit her albums significantly. The fact that she's very easy on 
the eyes, never hurts too... :)
>>
>> Well, when I bought the single, Katie's album was 'coincidentally' right
>> next to it...
>
>Although this track isn't on there, of course.
>
>BTW, I presume this track will be 2007's first (and only) Number One single
>on an independent label.

If it stays there - a very big *if*. Is not as if they could promote it 
together on a TV show!
>
>>>>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>>>>>Cascada #12
>>>>
>>>> But their previous album climbed against the grain, so...
>>>
>>>Not at Christmas time.
>>
>> So? You don't expect it at *any* time, so I don't see why Xmas would be
>> any different in that respect?
>
>Because you'd normally expect overall sales to be going up in these few
>weeks, thus making it harder for any one release to climb.

Only if there wasn't a single promoting it at the same time.

On Christmas week, the top 10 albums can be expected to sell >100k, the 
top 30 >50k, and the whole top 75 >10k.
>
>>>>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>>>>> ------
>>>
>>>Of course. Mind you, with so many special offers in the pre-Christmas
>>>period
>>>the January sales are losing their lustre a bit.
>>
>> I'm waiting to see if, for once, they'll discount any albums *I* want to
>> buy...
>
>Part of the problem IMO is that they're all so standardised nowadays.

The albums, or the sales?
>
>>>At the very least, I do consider it slightly sharp practice on Radiohead's
>>>part not to announce the bitrate until they'd taken (some) people's money.
>>
>> They probably figured  most people wouldn't pay a penny, so they got what
>> they paid for...
>
>Being Radiohead, though, they must have know full well that some people
>would pay plenty for it.

I dare say, the more you paid, the more 'cheated' you'd feel by a low 
bit rate, and subsequent physical release.
>>
>> But you're not going to buy it in January for someone whose birthday is in
>> August...
>
>Probably not, but so what? If they released the album in August people
>wouldn't say it was too late for July would they?

I would. :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:QqiYR3C57iYHFwn$@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Thu, 13 Dec 2007, Ch