Singles
-------
A new #1 at last, and one that *ON-ONE* predicted!

 From out of absolutely nowhere, Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy's charity duet 
'What A Wonderful World' storms to #1, despite only being available in 
Tescos!

As you might expect, since I am a HUGE Katie Melua fan, I am absolutely 
delighted at this! :)

This isn't the first time this song has been #1 - Louis Armstrong took 
it to the top for four weeks in 1968.

New Entries/Climbers
--------------------
Top 10 : Soulja Boy #3, Mariah Carey #4,  Pogues & KM #8, Casacada #10
Top 20 : Wham #14, Wizzard #16, Michael Buble (Lost) #19, Shaun The 
Sheep #20
Top 30 : Andy Williams #21, Slade #22, Shakin' Stevens #23,  Band Aid 
(1984) #27, Amy McDonald #28,
Top 40 : Stereophonics #32, Scouting For Girls #33, Chris Rea #35, 
Rihanna (DSTM) #37, Rihanna (Umbrella) #38, Foals #39, John Lennon #40

New (+Re) outside the top 40 : Michael Buble (Home) #45, Amy Winehouse 
#45, Led Zep #47, Crowded House #51, Boney M #61, Filo & Peri #62, Elton 
John #65, Booty Luv #68, Paul McCartney #70, Jona Lewie #72, Jack Penate 
#73

Might be incomplete - charts late updating again.

Albums
------
Leona holds at #1 for a 5th week by a significant margin, with no 
realistic challengers for at least the next 3 weeks.

NE's (top 20) : none

Big climb for Michael Buble 21-3 on the back of his X-Factor appearance, 
though.

New outside the top 20 : none

Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
Next week's #1 will only be as surprising as this week's, if it *ISN'T* 
the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson!

I wonder if next year's entrants may change their name by deed poll, as 
being named Leon/Leona seems to give you an advantage... :)

Top 10 : Sugababes,
Top 20 : Killers, Scouting For Girls
Top 30 : Ernie K-Doe, Kate Nash
Top 40 : Jay-Z

Any other possibilities?

I dare say one or two more Xmas songs will re-enter the top 40.

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:w1kg2aWnQYZHFwqe@blueyonder.co.uk...
> Singles
> -------
> A new #1 at last, and one that *ON-ONE* predicted!

You'd pretty much have to be on one to expect people to buy this drivel.

> From out of absolutely nowhere, Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy's charity duet 
> 'What A Wonderful World' storms to #1, despite only being available in 
> Tescos!

The Music Week report describes this as a "post-humus duet", although that 
surely depends on which direction you walk round the supermarket.

> As you might expect, since I am a HUGE Katie Melua fan, I am absolutely 
> delighted at this! :)

If it were me, I should imagine I'd have mixed feelings - seeing a favourite 
act have their biggest success with something unrepresentative would be an 
odd experience. I can imagine how I'd feel if I'd been a Stevie Wonder fan 
in 1984.

> This isn't the first time this song has been #1 - Louis Armstrong took it 
> to the top for four weeks in 1968.

Indeed so, and it has of course been recorded many other times - indeed a 
version of it reached the Top 75 earlier this year. By my count, it's only 
the third track to enter at the top of the singles chart this year (or 
fourth if you include McFly).

> New Entries/Climbers
> --------------------
> Top 10 : Soulja Boy #3,

I looked up what "Superman that ho" meant. I wish I hadn't. To be positive 
though... well, the original version sounds a lot better after you've heard 
Travis Barker's alleged "remix".

> Mariah Carey #4,

How did this become *the* big Christmas song anyway?

>  Pogues & KM #8,

Now available as a CD again, although I don't know how well it's actually 
selling in that form.

> Casacada #10

Aren't they, like, your favourite band or something?
Anyway, I'm surprised this version isn't dancier. I would guess that one of 
the previous recordings was a bigger hit in Germany.

> Top 20 : Wham #14,

Still climbing. Still crap, although as Mrs Brown pointed out at least 
nobody tries to flirt with Santa in the video.

>Wizzard #16,

Fun fact of the week: Roy Wood's real name is Ulysses.

>Michael Buble (Lost) #19,

Not the most belated Top 40 entry this week, but still several weeks after 
the single was released on CD. I wonder whether the record label regret 
that?
Nonetheless, this duly (dully?) becomes his highest-charting UK single yet, 
though it's unlikely to be his biggest-seller.

>Shaun The Sheep #20

Now, the record company here were presumably hoping to emulate the success 
of Bob The Builder seven Christmasses ago. One factor they seem to have 
neglected is that Bob was a human character who could plausibly sing, 
whereas Shaun is a not-wholly-anthropomorphic sheep, so the best they could 
do was a song *about* him; it seems to have turned out as a sort of bucolic 
version of 'Ebenezer Goode'. Not ovine enough, as Mrs Brown pointed out.
Still, it is the best record I've ever heard from Vic Reeves, I'll give it 
that. And the video's cute.

> Top 30 : Andy Williams #21,

Gaining surprisingly little from physicals, although it is now his 
highest-charting single this century, overtaking that inexcusable duet with 
Denise Van Outen.

> Slade #22,

Only one place shy of last year's peak, although obviously 21 places behind 
its all-time best.

> Shakin' Stevens #23,

I think he was better at covers.

>  Band Aid (1984) #27,

Theoretically incorporating the 1989 version too, don't forget. Interesting 
that there's no trace of the 2004 effort.

>Amy McDonald #28,

Doing what her last single couldn't, for whatever reason. Actually one of 
her better efforts lyrically, but nothing she does has ever convinced me 
musically.

> Top 40 : Stereophonics #32,

A song that was apparently started during the sessions for their third album 
(so it was apparently a less appealing prospect than 'Vegas Two Times') and 
finally wound up on their sixth. A slice of traditional, swaggery 
jeans-rock, it seems more obviously 'Phonics-like than 'It Means Nothing' 
but unless it gets very lucky when the Christmas songs clear out it'll be 
their first single to miss the Top 30 since their Top 40 debut with 'More 
Life In A Tramp's Vest' - and there was more life in that song than this 
one.

>Scouting For Girls #33,

Out tomorrow on CD & 7"s, suggesting that they won't be a one-hit wonder 
after all.

> Chris Rea #35,

Beating Michael Buble (not literally, alas), this track reaches the Top 40 
19 years after it was first released, and 13 years after Rea was last there.

> Rihanna (DSTM) #37,

Scheduled for physical release in February. Sadly it's not *the* 'Don't Stop 
The Music'.

> Rihanna (Umbrella) #38,

From last week's 50. Presumably people who went online to download the above 
got this as well while they were at it.

>Foals #39,

You could be forgiven for thinking that this was an even older record than 
the Rea one, but it is in fact a brand-new recording from an act who are 
widely expected to be big in 2008.

>John Lennon #40

And Yoko, who sings about as much as he does.
This of course was in the Top 40 as recently as 2003, when it had to compete 
with the Pop Idol version that "everybody" thought would be Christmas Number 
One. It wasn't.

> New (+Re) outside the top 40 : Michael Buble (Home) >#45,

In their infinite wisdom, the OCC still list this with 'A Song For You', but 
that's a pure techniciality.

> Amy Winehouse #45,

Unnecessary fifth single (or even sixth if you count 'Valerie') from an 
album that doesn't really need the help. I actually think this is better 
than the last one, but it had no real hope of selling.

> Led Zep #47,

A big rebound with 'Stairway' for obvious reasons. The other two obvious 
ones have gained too.

>Crowded House #51,

Waste of time me researching that list of hits with newspapers in the title, 
wasn't it? Still, second Top 75 hit from this year's comeback album

>Boney M #61,

'Oh My Lord' indeed! Is it in an advert?

> Filo & Peri #62,

Out tomorrow on CD & 12"s.

> Elton John #65,

Now listed as 'Step Into Christmas' - presumably single-track sales of that 
are combined with the EP.

>Booty Luv #68,

From last week's 76.

> Paul McCartney #70,

His first release under his own name since forming Wings, although he claims 
not to have made that a permanent decision yet.

> Jona Lewie #72,

Probably my second favourite of his.

>Jack Penate #73

'Have I Been A Fool?' - I don't know Jack, did you bet on this going Top 20?

> Might be incomplete - charts late updating again.

I've got nothing else new between 41-75, but it's worth noting two other 
physicals that haven't got far:

50: David Guetta
57: Newton Faulkner

And only a one-place climb for the Killers too!

Most notable entry in 76-100 is the Plain White Ts at 89 - at least if 
they'd held this off until January they'd have had some chance of scraping a 
Top 40 hit, but as it is this'll just remind Christmas shoppers that their 
songs aren't all the sort of thing the big hit suggested.

> Albums
> ------
> Leona holds at #1 for a 5th week by a significant margin, with no 
> realistic challengers for at least the next 3 weeks.

I'm guessing there wouldn't be a massive boost to the Jason Donovan Greatest 
Hits. ;-)

> NE's (top 20) : none
>
> Big climb for Michael Buble 21-3 on the back of his X-Factor appearance, 
> though.

All the more remarkable given that he was hardly obscure beforehand. I 
presume there were a lot of "So *that's* who it is" moments.

> New outside the top 20 : none

Only two new entrants to the Top 100 that I can see, and those were both 
just outside last week:

94: Red Hot Chilli Pipers
96: Josh Groban (the current US chart-topper)

> Next Week
> ---------
> Singles
> -------
> Next week's #1 will only be as surprising as this week's, if it *ISN'T* 
> the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson!

Indeed - I think the only question is his actual sales figure - perhaps 
relatively poor given that he seems an unpopular winner. It's also 
interesting that this is the first obvious cover version they've used since 
2004.

> I wonder if next year's entrants may change their name by deed poll, as 
> being named Leon/Leona seems to give you an advantage... :)

I did that Leo joke this morning.

> Top 10 : Sugababes,

Hmm... it's a long way behind their old single this week, and possibly a 
little bit too subtle for the big Christmas chart. It may narrowly miss out.

> Top 20 : Killers,

That's what I might have thought before, but it's made minimal progress this 
week. Perhaps people are waiting for the physical, but I have noticed that 
it's not getting airplay.

> Scouting For Girls

Likely, although to some extent bets are off here.

> Top 30 : Ernie K-Doe,

Also not a big climber on downloads, but he might get lucky. Not that he'll 
notice himself, obviously.

> Kate Nash

Seems like it might be more popular than 'Mouthwash', but all the other odds 
are against it so it's unlikely to chart better.

> Top 40 : Jay-Z

Seems to be 12" only, at least at this point.

> Any other possibilities?

There are about 65 internet campaigns to defeat X-Factor, which seems to 
guarantee the already inevitable: however the most prominent (other than the 
Pogues) is the late-night-Radio-1-supported Malcolm Middleton single. 
Obviously he has no chance, but I wouldn't be surprised if he went Top 40.
Also, Blake received the poison chalice of being the first act tipped for 
this year's festive chart-topper, so expect them to go to about Number 34. 
And do Filo & Peri have a chance?

> I dare say one or two more Xmas songs will re-enter the top 40.

None seem immediately close, but you never know.

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

Westlife may close the gap slightly after their own TV show, but I don't 
think that'll be anywhere near enough.

> Top 20 NE : none
>
> Others : none
>
> No new entries likely until well into January,

I still don't think Radiohead are going to miss the Top 75, not at January 
sales levels. But we'll come to that in due course.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Sun, 16 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :

>> Singles
>> -------
>> A new #1 at last, and one that *ON-ONE* predicted!
>
>You'd pretty much have to be on one to expect people to buy this drivel.

Hey, *I* bought it!
>
>> From out of absolutely nowhere, Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy's charity duet
>> 'What A Wonderful World' storms to #1, despite only being available in
>> Tescos!
>
>The Music Week report describes this as a "post-humus duet", although that
>surely depends on which direction you walk round the supermarket.

Hey, stop stealing my lines... :)
>
>> As you might expect, since I am a HUGE Katie Melua fan, I am absolutely
>> delighted at this! :)
>
>If it were me, I should imagine I'd have mixed feelings - seeing a favourite
>act have their biggest success with something unrepresentative would be an
>odd experience.

Unrepresentative, how? Ballads are what KM normally sings.

>I can imagine how I'd feel if I'd been a Stevie Wonder fan
>in 1984.

What happened that year?
>
>> This isn't the first time this song has been #1 - Louis Armstrong took it
>> to the top for four weeks in 1968.
>
>Indeed so, and it has of course been recorded many other times - indeed a
>version of it reached the Top 75 earlier this year. By my count, it's only
>the third track to enter at the top of the singles chart this year (or
>fourth if you include McFly).

Why wouldn't you?

I demand a recount, anyway... :)

Try :

Girls Aloud v Sugababes - Walk This Way
McFly - Baby's Coming Back/Transylvania
Rihanna - Umbrella
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy - What A Wonderful World
>
>> New Entries/Climbers
>> --------------------
>> Top 10 : Soulja Boy #3,
>
>I looked up what "Superman that ho" meant. I wish I hadn't. To be positive
>though... well, the original version sounds a lot better after you've heard
>Travis Barker's alleged "remix".

You know what sounds even better? Never listening to this song at all. 
:)
>
>> Mariah Carey #4,
>
>How did this become *the* big Christmas song anyway?

At a guess, more people buying it than any other Xmas song. :)
>
>>  Pogues & KM #8,
>
>Now available as a CD again, although I don't know how well it's actually
>selling in that form.

Probably not that well.
>
>> Casacada #10
>
>Aren't they, like, your favourite band or something?

If that translates to 'I think Natalie Horler is one of the hottest 
babes around!', then yes.

>Anyway, I'm surprised this version isn't dancier. I would guess that one of
>the previous recordings was a bigger hit in Germany.

Well, there are 7 versions to choose from on the Maxi-CD...
>
>> Top 20 : Wham #14,
>
>Still climbing. Still crap, although as Mrs Brown pointed out

Who?

> at least
>nobody tries to flirt with Santa in the video.

Moving swiftly on...
>
>>Michael Buble (Lost) #19,
>
>Not the most belated Top 40 entry this week, but still several weeks after
>the single was released on CD. I wonder whether the record label regret
>that?

But most of these will be download sales thanks to X-Factor, anyway.

>Nonetheless, this duly (dully?) becomes his highest-charting UK single yet,
>though it's unlikely to be his biggest-seller.

Yes, his dirges do tend to hang around.
>
>>Shaun The Sheep #20
>
>Now, the record company here were presumably hoping to emulate the success
>of Bob The Builder seven Christmasses ago. One factor they seem to have
>neglected is that Bob was a human character who could plausibly sing,
>whereas Shaun is a not-wholly-anthropomorphic sheep

I had one of his relatives for Sunday dinner yesterday. :)
>
>> Top 30 : Andy Williams #21,
>
>Gaining surprisingly little from physicals

Surprised me, too.
>
>> Slade #22,
>
>Only one place shy of last year's peak, although obviously 21 places behind
>its all-time best.

Should go to 20 next week.
>
>> Shakin' Stevens #23,
>
>I think he was better at covers.

He sang anything that *wasn't*?
>
>>  Band Aid (1984) #27,
>
>Theoretically incorporating the 1989 version too, don't forget. Interesting
>that there's no trace of the 2004 effort.

Not quite - #153 last week, presumably a bit higher this time.
>
>>Scouting For Girls #33,
>
>Out tomorrow on CD & 7"s

Feels like it's been out for ages.

> suggesting that they won't be a one-hit wonder
>after all.

They all sound the same to me.
>
>> Rihanna (DSTM) #37,
>
>Scheduled for physical release in February. Sadly it's not *the* 'Don't Stop
>The Music'.

Huh? How many versions has she recorded?
>
>> Rihanna (Umbrella) #38,
>
>From last week's 50. Presumably people who went online to download the above
>got this as well while they were at it.

It may hang around for a few more weeks, what with the post-Xmas 
new-iPod-filling.
>
>>Foals #39,
>
>You could be forgiven for thinking that this was an even older record than
>the Rea one, but it is in fact a brand-new recording from an act who are
>widely expected to be big in 2008.

It was OK, but nothing special.
>
>> New (+Re) outside the top 40 :
>
>> Amy Winehouse #45,
>
>Unnecessary fifth single (or even sixth if you count 'Valerie') from an
>album that doesn't really need the help. I actually think this is better
>than the last one, but it had no real hope of selling.

Plus she's not the most reliable person for promo...
>
>> Led Zep #47,
>
>A big rebound with 'Stairway' for obvious reasons. The other two obvious
>ones have gained too.

Could make it back into the 40.
>
>>Crowded House #51,
>
>Waste of time me researching that list of hits with newspapers in the title,
>wasn't it? Still, second Top 75 hit from this year's comeback album

Hell of a drop from its initial top 15 position - they must have sold 
sod-all after Monday!
>
>>Boney M #61,
>
>'Oh My Lord' indeed! Is it in an advert?

No idea.
>
>> Filo & Peri #62,
>
>Out tomorrow on CD & 12"s.

A genuine, non-Xmas, new entry!
>
>> Jona Lewie #72,
>
>Probably my second favourite of his.

He's only charted two...

> it's worth noting two other
>physicals that haven't got far:
>
>50: David Guetta
>57: Newton Faulkner
>
>And only a one-place climb for the Killers too!

CD release this week, though.
>
>Most notable entry in 76-100 is the Plain White Ts at 89 - at least if
>they'd held this off until January they'd have had some chance of scraping a
>Top 40 hit, but as it is this'll just remind Christmas shoppers that their
>songs aren't all the sort of thing the big hit suggested.

So dirges aren't their usual fare?
>
>> Albums
>> ------
>> Leona holds at #1 for a 5th week by a significant margin, with no
>> realistic challengers for at least the next 3 weeks.
>
>I'm guessing there wouldn't be a massive boost to the Jason Donovan Greatest
>Hits. ;-)

Grin

Hopefully Kylie's XF appearance will reverse her large & unexpected 5-19 
drop somewhat.

Katherine Jenkins should climb back into the top 10 after her 
appearance, too.
>
>> New outside the top 20 : none
>
>Only two new entrants to the Top 100 that I can see, and those were both
>just outside last week:
>
>94: Red Hot Chilli Pipers
>96: Josh Groban (the current US chart-topper)

Usually it's only rap albums that do a lot worse here than in the US...
>
>> Next Week
>> ---------
>> Singles
>> -------
>> Next week's #1 will only be as surprising as this week's, if it *ISN'T*
>> the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson!
>
>Indeed - I think the only question is his actual sales figure - perhaps
>relatively poor given that he seems an unpopular winner.

I'll guess 350k, 220k down on Leona.
>
>> Top 10 : Sugababes,
>
>Hmm... it's a long way behind their old single this week, and possibly a
>little bit too subtle for the big Christmas chart. It may narrowly miss out.

Next week perhaps, but since it's not a specifically Xmas song, it could 
benefit by hanging around...
>
>> Top 40 : Jay-Z
>
>Seems to be 12" only, at least at this point.

Presumably downloads too, though.
>
>> Any other possibilities?
>
>There are about 65 internet campaigns to defeat X-Factor, which seems to
>guarantee the already inevitable

Even if there was one united campaign, it would surely still fail.
>
>> I dare say one or two more Xmas songs will re-enter the top 40.
>
>None seem immediately close, but you never know.

Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' is #46, and the X-Factor winner sang it 
on Saturday, so...
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 17 Dec 2007, Paul Hyett 
 wrote :
>In uk.music.charts on Sun, 16 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
> wrote :
>
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> A new #1 at last, and one that *ON-ONE* predicted!
>>
>>You'd pretty much have to be on one to expect people to buy this drivel.
>
>Hey, *I* bought it!

BTW, just seen this week's download top 40, and it isn't even in there, 
so sales must have been 90%+ physical.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:w1kg2aWnQYZHFwqe@blueyonder.co.uk...
> Singles
> -------
> A new #1 at last, and one that *ON-ONE* predicted!
>
> From out of absolutely nowhere, Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy's charity duet 
> 'What A Wonderful World' storms to #1, despite only being available in 
> Tescos!
>
> As you might expect, since I am a HUGE Katie Melua fan, I am absolutely 
> delighted at this! :)
>
> This isn't the first time this song has been #1 - Louis Armstrong took it 
> to the top for four weeks in 1968.

Is it just me or does anyone else find it a little creepy that someone who
died in 1996 is singing a 'duet' with someone who is still alive?
-- 
Col

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

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:YaiadPD+tiZHFwtR@blueyonder.co.uk...
 >
>>I can imagine how I'd feel if I'd been a Stevie Wonder fan
>>in 1984.
>
> What happened that year?

I can only assume it's in reference to 'I Just Called to Say I Love You'.
Whilst this was certainly a very commercial track and indeed rather
more 'middle of the road' than his usual output it was hardly an
enormous departure from normal.
Mr Wonder was by then well used to big chart singles though nothing
approaching the mega-sales that song achieved.
-- 
Col

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

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:YaiadPD+tiZHFwtR@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Sun, 16 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> A new #1 at last, and one that *ON-ONE* predicted!
>>
>>You'd pretty much have to be on one to expect people to buy this drivel.
>
> Hey, *I* bought it!

I bought the Maximo Park single a couple of weeks ago, that doesn't mean I 
thought it was going to be a Number One.

>>> From out of absolutely nowhere, Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy's charity duet
>>> 'What A Wonderful World' storms to #1, despite only being available in
>>> Tescos!
>>
>>The Music Week report describes this as a "post-humus duet", although that
>>surely depends on which direction you walk round the supermarket.
>
> Hey, stop stealing my lines... :)

I spotted their mistake on Tuesday, but it took me until now to figure out 
how to phrase the joke.

>>> As you might expect, since I am a HUGE Katie Melua fan, I am absolutely
>>> delighted at this! :)
>>
>>If it were me, I should imagine I'd have mixed feelings - seeing a 
>>favourite
>>act have their biggest success with something unrepresentative would be an
>>odd experience.
>
> Unrepresentative, how? Ballads are what KM normally >sings.

Yes, but they're normally performed by people who are alive. I happen to 
think she's a better singer than she's often given credit for, but even 
she's not up to the challenge here.
For me, this record falls at the very first hurdle - it's called 'What A 
Wonderful World' but they don't have sound depressed about it.

>>I can imagine how I'd feel if I'd been a Stevie Wonder fan
>>in 1984.
>
> What happened that year?

See elsewhere in this thread, when I get round to it.

>>> This isn't the first time this song has been #1 - Louis Armstrong took 
>>> it
>>> to the top for four weeks in 1968.
>>
>>Indeed so, and it has of course been recorded many other times - indeed a
>>version of it reached the Top 75 earlier this year. By my count, it's only
>>the third track to enter at the top of the singles chart this year (or
>>fourth if you include McFly).
>
> Why wouldn't you?

Because 'Transylvania' was a Top 100 hit the previous week, although the OCC 
counted the double A-side as a new entry.

> I demand a recount, anyway... :)
>
> Try :
>
> Girls Aloud v Sugababes - Walk This Way
> McFly - Baby's Coming Back/Transylvania
> Rihanna - Umbrella
> Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
> Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy - What A Wonderful World

Which one of those did I miss out? There's no unembarassing answer to that. 
:-(

>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>> --------------------
>>> Top 10 : Soulja Boy #3,
>>
>>I looked up what "Superman that ho" meant. I wish I hadn't. To be positive
>>though... well, the original version sounds a lot better after you've 
>>heard
>>Travis Barker's alleged "remix".
>
> You know what sounds even better? Never listening to this song at all. :)

A good point well put.

>>> Mariah Carey #4,
>>
>>How did this become *the* big Christmas song anyway?
>
> At a guess, more people buying it than any other Xmas song. :)

But how's it got to be the one people want to buy? Surely all her fans have 
it now.

>>>  Pogues & KM #8,
>>
>>Now available as a CD again, although I don't know how well it's actually
>>selling in that form.
>
> Probably not that well.

I didn't notice many on the shelves, at any rate.

>>> Casacada #10
>>
>>Aren't they, like, your favourite band or something?
>
> If that translates to 'I think Natalie Horler is one of the hottest babes 
> around!', then yes.

You don't see me spelling my favourite band's name wrong every week.

>>Anyway, I'm surprised this version isn't dancier. I would guess that one 
>>of
>>the previous recordings was a bigger hit in Germany.
>
> Well, there are 7 versions to choose from on the Maxi-CD...

I mean one of the acts who recorded it before Cascada - country music is 
bigger in Germany than here.

>>> Top 20 : Wham #14,
>>
>>Still climbing. Still crap, although as Mrs Brown pointed out
>
> Who?

Clue: I'm Mr Brown. ;)

>> at least
>>nobody tries to flirt with Santa in the video.
>
> Moving swiftly on...

She was referring to Mariah, BTW.

>>>Michael Buble (Lost) #19,
>>
>>Not the most belated Top 40 entry this week, but still several weeks after
>>the single was released on CD. I wonder whether the record label regret
>>that?
>
> But most of these will be download sales thanks to X-Factor, anyway.

Of course they will - so with hindsight, the label might have been better 
off putting out the CD now rather than a month before he was on there.

>>Nonetheless, this duly (dully?) becomes his highest-charting UK single 
>>yet,
>>though it's unlikely to be his biggest-seller.
>
> Yes, his dirges do tend to hang around.

But I still can't imagine this one catching up with 'Home'. Which, 
incidentally, features on two of the Top 3 albums this week.

>> Top 30 : Andy Williams #21,
>>
>>Gaining surprisingly little from physicals
>
> Surprised me, too.

Mind you, I didn't see many of those either. Perhaps at a time of relatively 
low physical sales, shops are reluctant to bring in too many copies of 
explicitly festive songs, because they've effectively only got two or three 
weeks to shift them.

>>> Slade #22,
>>
>>Only one place shy of last year's peak, although obviously 21 places 
>>behind
>>its all-time best.
>
> Should go to 20 next week.

"to 20" or "top 20"?

>>> Shakin' Stevens #23,
>>
>>I think he was better at covers.
>
> He sang anything that *wasn't*?

AFAIK, this isn't - he didn't write it himself or anything but his was the 
first recording of it.

>>>  Band Aid (1984) #27,
>>
>>Theoretically incorporating the 1989 version too, don't forget. 
>>Interesting
>>that there's no trace of the 2004 effort.
>
> Not quite - #153 last week, presumably a bit higher this time.

Still a long way back - mind you, I suppose the 89 version would be behind 
even that in its own right.

>>>Scouting For Girls #33,
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CD & 7"s
>
> Feels like it's been out for ages.

Probably because...

>> suggesting that they won't be a one-hit wonder
>>after all.
>
> They all sound the same to me.

...they do to me as well.

BTW, it occured to me last night that this is the first Top 40 for months 
where Elvis doesn't appear as a performer - but there is a song with his 
name in the title.

>>> Rihanna (DSTM) #37,
>>
>>Scheduled for physical release in February. Sadly it's not *the* 'Don't 
>>Stop
>>The Music'.
>
> Huh? How many versions has she recorded?

Just this one, but there's another song of that title which I thought this 
might have been a version of. It isn't.

>>> Rihanna (Umbrella) #38,
>>
>>From last week's 50. Presumably people who went online to download the 
>>above
>>got this as well while they were at it.
>
> It may hang around for a few more weeks, what with the post-Xmas 
> new-iPod-filling.

I was just thinking about that last night actually.

>>>Foals #39,
>>
>>You could be forgiven for thinking that this was an even older record than
>>the Rea one, but it is in fact a brand-new recording from an act who are
>>widely expected to be big in 2008.
>
> It was OK, but nothing special.

Even by the standards of this sort of thing, it's exceptionally 
retro-sounding though. I suppose they're not really singing "We fry the 
balloons on the metal poems".

>>> New (+Re) outside the top 40 :
>>
>>> Amy Winehouse #45,
>>
>>Unnecessary fifth single (or even sixth if you count 'Valerie') from an
>>album that doesn't really need the help. I actually think this is better
>>than the last one, but it had no real hope of selling.
>
> Plus she's not the most reliable person for promo...

As I pointed out in the mids thread, this single was timed to coincide with 
her tour, but she's not actually doing that any more.

>>> Led Zep #47,
>>
>>A big rebound with 'Stairway' for obvious reasons. The other two obvious
>>ones have gained too.
>
> Could make it back into the 40.

Maybe one day, but if they can't do it off the back of the huge publicity 
overload last week I don't think it's an immediate prospect.

>>>Crowded House #51,
>>
>>Waste of time me researching that list of hits with newspapers in the 
>>title,
>>wasn't it? Still, second Top 75 hit from this year's comeback album
>
> Hell of a drop from its initial top 15 position - they must have sold 
> sod-all after Monday!

I can vouch for them selling one, but that may have been about it.
Not wholly surprising, since the release had approximately zero visibility - 
the track was a big R2 favourite but I assumed it was just a radio single.

>>> Filo & Peri #62,
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CD & 12"s.
>
> A genuine, non-Xmas, new entry!

In past years, there have always been a couple of big dance tracks entering 
around Christmas week, but of course they're against tougher competition 
this time, which is why I'm only looking on them as a possible Top 40 
entrant.

>>> Jona Lewie #72,
>>
>>Probably my second favourite of his.
>
> He's only charted two...

That's what I mean.


>>And only a one-place climb for the Killers too!
>
> CD release this week, though.

True, but OTOH it's worse than their last one did.

>>Most notable entry in 76-100 is the Plain White Ts at 89 - at least if
>>they'd held this off until January they'd have had some chance of scraping 
>>a
>>Top 40 hit, but as it is this'll just remind Christmas shoppers that their
>>songs aren't all the sort of thing the big hit suggested.
>
> So dirges aren't their usual fare?

No. This and AFAIK most of the rest of their oeuvre is more Fall-Out-Boyish. 
Not really any better, of course.

>>> Albums
>>> ------

> Hopefully Kylie's XF appearance will reverse her large & unexpected 5-19 
> drop somewhat.

I hear she did the new single.

>>Only two new entrants to the Top 100 that I can see, and those were both
>>just outside last week:
>>
>>94: Red Hot Chilli Pipers
>>96: Josh Groban (the current US chart-topper)
>
> Usually it's only rap albums that do a lot worse here than in the US...

Those and Christmas albums.

>>> Next Week
>>> ---------
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> Next week's #1 will only be as surprising as this week's, if it *ISN'T*
>>> the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson!
>>
>>Indeed - I think the only question is his actual sales figure - perhaps
>>relatively poor given that he seems an unpopular winner.
>
> I'll guess 350k, 220k down on Leona.

Believeable.

>>> Top 10 : Sugababes,
>>
>>Hmm... it's a long way behind their old single this week, and possibly a
>>little bit too subtle for the big Christmas chart. It may narrowly miss 
>>out.
>
> Next week perhaps, but since it's not a specifically Xmas song, it could 
> benefit by hanging around...

Could indeed, although it still has their old song to beat.
And for some reason they released another track from the album as a download 
last week (although of course you could download it anyway).

>>> Top 40 : Jay-Z
>>
>>Seems to be 12" only, at least at this point.
>
> Presumably downloads too, though.

Don't be so sure - the album isn't available unbundled. In the US at least, 
it's absent from iTunes for that very reason.

>>> Any other possibilities?
>>
>>There are about 65 internet campaigns to defeat X-Factor, which seems to
>>guarantee the already inevitable
>
> Even if there was one united campaign, it would surely still fail.

All but certainly - however the fact that there's actually a bunch of them 
seals it. Which is only logical, in a way.

>>> I dare say one or two more Xmas songs will re-enter the top 40.
>>
>>None seem immediately close, but you never know.
>
> Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' is #46, and the X-Factor winner sang it on 
> Saturday, so...

OK, fair point.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 17 Dec 2007, Col  
wrote :
>
>"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
>news:YaiadPD+tiZHFwtR@blueyonder.co.uk...
> >
>>>I can imagine how I'd feel if I'd been a Stevie Wonder fan
>>>in 1984.
>>
>> What happened that year?
>
>I can only assume it's in reference to 'I Just Called to Say I Love You'.
>Whilst this was certainly a very commercial track and indeed rather
>more 'middle of the road' than his usual output it was hardly an
>enormous departure from normal.

>Mr Wonder was by then well used to big chart singles though nothing
>approaching the mega-sales that song achieved.

That song is on my 5-mosted-hated songs list!
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 17 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>> A new #1 at last, and one that *ON-ONE* predicted!
>>>
>>>You'd pretty much have to be on one to expect people to buy this drivel.
>>
>> Hey, *I* bought it!
>
>I bought the Maximo Park single a couple of weeks ago, that doesn't mean I
>thought it was going to be a Number One.

I didn't even know the Katie Melua single was *released*, until it 
appeared at #1 in the mids...
>
>>>> As you might expect, since I am a HUGE Katie Melua fan, I am absolutely
>>>> delighted at this! :)
>>>
>>>If it were me, I should imagine I'd have mixed feelings - seeing a
>>>favourite
>>>act have their biggest success with something unrepresentative would be an
>>>odd experience.
>>
>> Unrepresentative, how? Ballads are what KM normally >sings.
>
>Yes, but they're normally performed by people who are alive.

JXL weren't too bothered about that when they took an old Elvis song to 
#1...

>For me, this record falls at the very first hurdle - it's called 'What A
>Wonderful World' but they don't have sound depressed about it.

Well, it's not like Eva can re-record her contribution at a directors 
whim...
>
>> I demand a recount, anyway... :)
>>
>> Try :
>>
>> Girls Aloud v Sugababes - Walk This Way
>> McFly - Baby's Coming Back/Transylvania
>> Rihanna - Umbrella
>> Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
>> Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy - What A Wonderful World
>
>Which one of those did I miss out? There's no unembarassing answer to that.
>:-(

I'm guessing 'Babes Aloud'.

>
>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>> --------------------
>
>>>> Mariah Carey #4,
>>>
>>>How did this become *the* big Christmas song anyway?
>>
>> At a guess, more people buying it than any other Xmas song. :)
>
>But how's it got to be the one people want to buy? Surely all her fans have
>it now.

You could say that about any record with sustained popularity.

With the advert of downloads though, music fans are no longer restricted 
to only the 'flavour-of-the-month' tracks that are physically available.

As we've seen over the last year, that allows old songs to re-enter on 
nothing more than an advert appearance, a cover version being sung on a 
popular TV show, or even just an organised internet campaign by fans!
>
>>>>  Pogues & KM #8,
>>>
>>>Now available as a CD again, although I don't know how well it's actually
>>>selling in that form.
>>
>> Probably not that well.
>
>I didn't notice many on the shelves, at any rate.

Given that many new/rare visitors to download sites will probably be 
logging on this week for the Leon Jackson song, the various Xmas songs 
could gain significant benefit as a side-effect.
>
>>>> Casacada #10
>>>
>>>Aren't they, like, your favourite band or something?
>>
>> If that translates to 'I think Natalie Horler is one of the hottest babes
>> around!', then yes.
>
>You don't see me spelling my favourite band's name wrong every week.

Then it's just as well they *aren't* my favourite band, then. :)

Of course, almost all of the music I favour is by female solo singers 
anyway...
>
>>>> Top 20 : Wham #14,
>>>
>>>Still climbing. Still crap, although as Mrs Brown pointed out
>>> at least
>>>nobody tries to flirt with Santa in the video.
>>
>> Moving swiftly on...
>
>She was referring to Mariah, BTW.

Oh right - I thought you were referring to George Michael... :)
>
>>>>Michael Buble (Lost) #19,
>>>
>>>Not the most belated Top 40 entry this week, but still several weeks after
>>>the single was released on CD. I wonder whether the record label regret
>>>that?
>>
>> But most of these will be download sales thanks to X-Factor, anyway.
>
>Of course they will - so with hindsight, the label might have been better
>off putting out the CD now rather than a month before he was on there.

Maybe they didn't know, back then?
>
>>>Nonetheless, this duly (dully?) becomes his highest-charting UK single
>>>yet,
>>>though it's unlikely to be his biggest-seller.
>>
>> Yes, his dirges do tend to hang around.
>
>But I still can't imagine this one catching up with 'Home'. Which,
>incidentally, features on two of the Top 3 albums this week.

The album chart top 10 has a very MOR/AOR feel this week, with only Amy 
W at #9 breaking the pattern.
>
>>>> Slade #22,
>>>
>>>Only one place shy of last year's peak, although obviously 21 places
>>>behind
>>>its all-time best.
>>
>> Should go to 20 next week.
>
>"to 20" or "top 20"?

Don't you just hate it when people concentrate on your typos, rather 
than the message... :)
>
>>>> Rihanna (DSTM) #37,
>>>
>>>Scheduled for physical release in February. Sadly it's not *the* 'Don't
>>>Stop
>>>The Music'.
>>
>> Huh? How many versions has she recorded?
>
>Just this one, but there's another song of that title which I thought this
>might have been a version of. It isn't.

The video appeared on TV today, which suggests even more strongly that 
the CD release date will be brought forward.

On the subject of new videos, I caught Feist's yesterday (My Moon, My 
Man) and thought it was really good, even before I realised who it was 
(as I missed the start).

http://www.listentofeist.com/

I reckon it could follow '1234' into the top 10, not to mention 
rejuvenate the album again.

>> the post-Xmas
>> new-iPod-filling.
>
>I was just thinking about that last night actually.

I think a combination of that, combined with the rapid drop-out of Xmas 
songs, could produce some really dramatic position changes in the next 
few weeks!
>
>>>> New (+Re) outside the top 40 :
>
>>>> Led Zep #47,
>>>
>>>A big rebound with 'Stairway' for obvious reasons. The other two obvious
>>>ones have gained too.
>>
>> Could make it back into the 40.
>
>Maybe one day, but if they can't do it off the back of the huge publicity
>overload last week I don't think it's an immediate prospect.

More likely it's become a semi-permanent fixture in the lower regions of 
the top 200.
>
>>>> Albums
>>>> ------
>
>> Hopefully Kylie's XF appearance will reverse her large & unexpected 5-19
>> drop somewhat.
>
>I hear she did the new single.

Yes, so the album but should re-enter the singles chart strongly this 
week, along with 'Better The Devil You Know', which she dueted with the 
XF winner.
>
>>>> Next Week
>>>> ---------
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>> Next week's #1 will only be as surprising as this week's, if it *ISN'T*
>>>> the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson!
>>>
>>>Indeed - I think the only question is his actual sales figure - perhaps
>>>relatively poor given that he seems an unpopular winner.
>>
>> I'll guess 350k, 220k down on Leona.
>
>Believeable.

Should be comfortably #1 on the mids today, even before the CD is out.
>
>>>> Top 40 : Jay-Z
>>>
>>>Seems to be 12" only, at least at this point.
>>
>> Presumably downloads too, though.
>
>Don't be so sure - the album isn't available unbundled. In the US at least,
>it's absent from iTunes for that very reason.

Don't they allow that, then?

I can see why artists prefer that, but ISTM that is likely to encourage 
piracy.
>
>>>> I dare say one or two more Xmas songs will re-enter the top 40.
>>>
>>>None seem immediately close, but you never know.
>>
>> Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' is #46, and the X-Factor winner sang it on
>> Saturday, so...
>
>OK, fair point.
>
Of course, that song dates from before *computers* were invented, never 
mind internet downloads! :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:hu8UwIEEl3ZHFw5w@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Mon, 17 Dec 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>>>
>>>>> Singles
>>>>> -------

>>>>> As you might expect, since I am a HUGE Katie Melua fan, I am
>>>>> absolutely
>>>>> delighted at this! :)
>>>>
>>>>If it were me, I should imagine I'd have mixed feelings - seeing a
>>>>favourite
>>>>act have their biggest success with something unrepresentative would be
>>>>an
>>>>odd experience.
>>>
>>> Unrepresentative, how? Ballads are what KM normally >sings.
>>
>>Yes, but they're normally performed by people who are alive.
>
> JXL weren't too bothered about that when they took an old Elvis song to
> #1...

True, but for all I know Junkie XL fans might have resented that becoming so 
much better known than their other work. The point I was making was that I 
wouldn't assume that somebody's most successful single was necessarily one 
especially beloved by their fans, especially if it's something atypical.

>>For me, this record falls at the very first hurdle - it's called 'What A
>>Wonderful World' but they don't have sound depressed about it.

..."they don't half sound..."

> Well, it's not like Eva can re-record her contribution at a directors
> whim...

Well, not now, but you'd think she'd have noticed while she was alive. ;-)
More to the point, somebody should perhaps have thought through exactly why 
this tape hadn't been released for over a decade.

>>> I demand a recount, anyway... :)
>>>
>>> Try :
>>>
>>> Girls Aloud v Sugababes - Walk This Way
>>> McFly - Baby's Coming Back/Transylvania
>>> Rihanna - Umbrella
>>> Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
>>> Katie Melua & Eva Cassidy - What A Wonderful World
>>
>>Which one of those did I miss out? There's no unembarassing answer to
>>that.
>>:-(
>
> I'm guessing 'Babes Aloud'.

No, that was the first one I thought of. It might actually have been Leona.

>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>> --------------------
>>
>>>>> Mariah Carey #4,
>>>>
>>>>How did this become *the* big Christmas song anyway?
>>>
>>> At a guess, more people buying it than any other Xmas song. :)
>>
>>But how's it got to be the one people want to buy? Surely all her fans
>>have
>>it now.
>
> You could say that about any record with sustained popularity.

You could indeed - so why are other records of sustained popularity so far 
behind?

>>>>>  Pogues & KM #8,
>>>>
>>>>Now available as a CD again, although I don't know how well it's
>>>>actually
>>>>selling in that form.
>>>
>>> Probably not that well.
>>
>>I didn't notice many on the shelves, at any rate.
>
> Given that many new/rare visitors to download sites will probably be
> logging on this week for the Leon Jackson song, the various Xmas songs
> could gain significant benefit as a side-effect.

Agreed. I would guess that overall sales will be up for this reason, even if 
you deduct his.

>>>>> Casacada #10
>>>>
>>>>Aren't they, like, your favourite band or something?
>>>
>>> If that translates to 'I think Natalie Horler is one of the hottest
>>> babes
>>> around!', then yes.
>>
>>You don't see me spelling my favourite band's name wrong every week.
>
> Then it's just as well they *aren't* my favourite band, then. :)

You were supposed to set up the punchline where I said my favourite band was 
XTC. ;p

> Of course, almost all of the music I favour is by female solo singers
> anyway...

You still can have a favourite band, though, even if you like some other act 
more.

>>>>> Top 20 : Wham #14,
>>>>
>>>>Still climbing. Still crap, although as Mrs Brown pointed out
>>>> at least
>>>>nobody tries to flirt with Santa in the video.
>>>
>>> Moving swiftly on...
>>
>>She was referring to Mariah, BTW.
>
> Oh right - I thought you were referring to George Michael... :)

I did suggest to her that he probably would if he was making that video now.

>>>>>Michael Buble (Lost) #19,
>>>>
>>>>Not the most belated Top 40 entry this week, but still several weeks
>>>>after
>>>>the single was released on CD. I wonder whether the record label regret
>>>>that?
>>>
>>> But most of these will be download sales thanks to X-Factor, anyway.
>>
>>Of course they will - so with hindsight, the label might have been better
>>off putting out the CD now rather than a month before he was on there.
>
> Maybe they didn't know, back then?

Possible but I think unlikely.

>>>>Nonetheless, this duly (dully?) becomes his highest-charting UK single
>>>>yet,
>>>>though it's unlikely to be his biggest-seller.
>>>
>>> Yes, his dirges do tend to hang around.
>>
>>But I still can't imagine this one catching up with 'Home'. Which,
>>incidentally, features on two of the Top 3 albums this week.
>
> The album chart top 10 has a very MOR/AOR feel this week, with only Amy W
> at #9 breaking the pattern.

And if she counts as breaking the pattern...

>>>>> Slade #22,
>>>>
>>>>Only one place shy of last year's peak, although obviously 21 places
>>>>behind
>>>>its all-time best.
>>>
>>> Should go to 20 next week.
>>
>>"to 20" or "top 20"?
>
> Don't you just hate it when people concentrate on your typos, rather than
> the message... :)

I'll assume the latter than.

>>>>> Rihanna (DSTM) #37,
>>>>
>>>>Scheduled for physical release in February. Sadly it's not *the* 'Don't
>>>>Stop
>>>>The Music'.
>>>
>>> Huh? How many versions has she recorded?
>>
>>Just this one, but there's another song of that title which I thought this
>>might have been a version of. It isn't.
>
> The video appeared on TV today, which suggests even more strongly that the
> CD release date will be brought forward.

Possibly, although it was released elsewhere in Europe some time ago so 
they'd have a video in hand anyway.

> On the subject of new videos, I caught Feist's yesterday (My Moon, My Man)
> and thought it was really good, even before I realised who it was (as I
> missed the start).
>
> http://www.listentofeist.com/


IIRC that was initially released as the first from the album, so it's 
logical that they'd re-activate it.

> I reckon it could follow '1234' into the top 10, not to mention rejuvenate
> the album again.

I suspect the scale of '1234' may be a one-off, but I can easily see her 
having more success as an album act. It should be easier to get airplay this 
time.

>>> the post-Xmas
>>> new-iPod-filling.
>>
>>I was just thinking about that last night actually.
>
> I think a combination of that, combined with the rapid drop-out of Xmas
> songs, could produce some really dramatic position changes in the next few
> weeks!

And of course this year the iPod fillers won't be restricted to tracks from 
the previous 12 months, although in practice they're sure to dominate.

>>>>> New (+Re) outside the top 40 :
>>
>>>>> Led Zep #47,
>>>>
>>>>A big rebound with 'Stairway' for obvious reasons. The other two obvious
>>>>ones have gained too.
>>>
>>> Could make it back into the 40.
>>
>>Maybe one day, but if they can't do it off the back of the huge publicity
>>overload last week I don't think it's an immediate prospect.
>
> More likely it's become a semi-permanent fixture in the lower regions of
> the top 200.

I think that's a good guess.

>>>>> Albums
>>>>> ------
>>
>>> Hopefully Kylie's XF appearance will reverse her large & unexpected 5-19
>>> drop somewhat.
>>
>>I hear she did the new single.
>
> Yes, so the album but should re-enter the singles chart strongly this
> week, along with 'Better The Devil You Know', which she dueted with the XF
> winner.

Your typing is getting almost as bad as mine.

>>>>> Next Week
>>>>> ---------
>>>>> Singles
>>>>> -------
>>>>> Next week's #1 will only be as surprising as this week's, if it
>>>>> *ISN'T*
>>>>> the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson!
>>>>
>>>>Indeed - I think the only question is his actual sales figure - perhaps
>>>>relatively poor given that he seems an unpopular winner.
>>>
>>> I'll guess 350k, 220k down on Leona.
>>
>>Believeable.
>
> Should be comfortably #1 on the mids today, even before the CD is out.

He isn't, but only on a technicality.

>>>>> Top 40 : Jay-Z
>>>>
>>>>Seems to be 12" only, at least at this point.
>>>
>>> Presumably downloads too, though.
>>
>>Don't be so sure - the album isn't available unbundled. In the US at
>>least,
>>it's absent from iTunes for that very reason.
>
> Don't they allow that, then?

AIUI they don't allow it to be done on a whim, and Radiohead are also absent 
from there for that reason. I think they permit it with soundtracks and 
things where there are contractual issues, and presumably they don't price 
things like Tubular Bells track-by track.

> I can see why artists prefer that, but ISTM that is likely to encourage
> piracy.

I broadly agree, although I suppose there are always lines to be drawn 
somewhere.

>>>>> I dare say one or two more Xmas songs will re-enter the top 40.
>>>>
>>>>None seem immediately close, but you never know.
>>>
>>> Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' is #46, and the X-Factor winner sang it
>>> on
>>> Saturday, so...
>>
>>OK, fair point.
>>
> Of course, that song dates from before *computers* were invented, never
> mind internet downloads! :)

I don't suppose Bing could possibly have imagined it - I know there were 
computers during his lifetime, but I don't think he'd have been able to 
understand how they'd put him back in the charts.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Tue, 18 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>>>
>>>> Unrepresentative, how? Ballads are what KM normally >sings.
>>>
>>>Yes, but they're normally performed by people who are alive.
>>
>> JXL weren't too bothered about that when they took an old Elvis song to
>> #1...
>
>True, but for all I know Junkie XL fans might have resented that becoming so
>much better known than their other work.

That wouldn't have been difficult, anyway!

> The point I was making was that I
>wouldn't assume that somebody's most successful single was necessarily one
>especially beloved by their fans, especially if it's something atypical.

Like REM's 'Shiny Happy People'? That's the only song of theirs I like.
>>>
>>>Which one of those did I miss out? There's no unembarassing answer to
>>>that.
>>>:-(
>>
>> I'm guessing 'Babes Aloud'.
>
>No, that was the first one I thought of. It might actually have been Leona.

Your mind's repression mechanism is working well, then. :)
>
>>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>>> --------------------
>>>
>>>>>> Mariah Carey
>>>
>>>But how's it got to be the one people want to buy? Surely all her fans
>>>have
>>>it now.
>>
>> You could say that about any record with sustained popularity.
>
>You could indeed - so why are other records of sustained popularity so far
>behind?

Because most sell steadily throughout the year, rather than for a few 
concentrated weeks? Or were you just referring to perennial Xmas songs?
>>
>> Given that many new/rare visitors to download sites will probably be
>> logging on this week for the Leon Jackson song, the various Xmas songs
>> could gain significant benefit as a side-effect.
>
>Agreed. I would guess that overall sales will be up for this reason, even if
>you deduct his.

I'm beginning to wonder if the Katie Melua song was accidentally omitted 
from the download chart last week (as happened recently to both Westlife 
& Oasis), as it doesn't seem credible that a #1 could sell too few 
downloads to reach the top 40?
>>
>> The album chart top 10 has a very MOR/AOR feel this week, with only Amy W
>> at #9 breaking the pattern.
>
>And if she counts as breaking the pattern...

I thought you might say that, but ISTM that a drunk, stoned, unstable 
singer would lack appeal for the usual MOR crowd! :)
>
>>>>>> Rihanna (DSTM) #37,
>>
>> The video appeared on TV today, which suggests even more strongly that the
>> CD release date will be brought forward.
>
>Possibly, although it was released elsewhere in Europe some time ago so
>they'd have a video in hand anyway.

How come we got it last, then? IMO it is certainly better than 'Hate 
That I Love You'.
>
>> On the subject of new videos, I caught Feist's yesterday (My Moon, My Man)
>> and thought it was really good, even before I realised who it was (as I
>> missed the start).
>>
>> http://www.listentofeist.com/
>
>IIRC that was initially released as the first from the album, so it's
>logical that they'd re-activate it.

It failed to chart first time, even in the top 200.
>
>> I reckon it could follow '1234' into the top 10, not to mention rejuvenate
>> the album again.
>
>I suspect the scale of '1234' may be a one-off, but I can easily see her
>having more success as an album act.

The iPod advert has, unsurprisingly, returned for the run-up to Xmas so 
that should maintain her profile, and '1234' is only just outside the 
top 75 currently.

>It should be easier to get airplay this
>time.

I don't have a release date for the new single yet, though.
>
>>>> the post-Xmas
>>>> new-iPod-filling.
>>>
>>>I was just thinking about that last night actually.
>>
>> I think a combination of that, combined with the rapid drop-out of Xmas
>> songs, could produce some really dramatic position changes in the next few
>> weeks!
>
>And of course this year the iPod fillers won't be restricted to tracks from
>the previous 12 months

They weren't before, surely?

>, although in practice they're sure to dominate.

Of course, most of the biggest songs of the last 12 months are still 
lurking in the lower regions of the top 200 anyway...
>
>
>>>>>> Next Week
>>>>>> ---------
>>>>>> Singles
>>>>>> -------
>>>>>> Next week's #1 will only be as surprising as this week's, if it
>>>>>> *ISN'T*
>>>>>> the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson!
>>
>> Should be comfortably #1 on the mids today, even before the CD is out.
>
>He isn't, but only on a technicality.

Notice I added him in anyway...
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:YFsq6UEJbMaHFwUs@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Tue, 18 Dec 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>>>>>
>>>>> Unrepresentative, how? Ballads are what KM normally >sings.
>>>>
>>>>Yes, but they're normally performed by people who are alive.
>>>
>>> JXL weren't too bothered about that when they took an old Elvis song to
>>> #1...
>>
>>True, but for all I know Junkie XL fans might have resented that becoming
>>so
>>much better known than their other work.
>
> That wouldn't have been difficult, anyway!

Well, no, but that's sort of the point.

>> The point I was making was that I
>>wouldn't assume that somebody's most successful single was necessarily one
>>especially beloved by their fans, especially if it's something atypical.
>
> Like REM's 'Shiny Happy People'? That's the only song of theirs I like.

That's the kind of thing I had in mind. I realise it may not strictly 
speaking be their most successful single, but it's a good example.

>>>>Which one of those did I miss out? There's no unembarassing answer to
>>>>that.
>>>>:-(
>>>
>>> I'm guessing 'Babes Aloud'.
>>
>>No, that was the first one I thought of. It might actually have been
>>Leona.
>
> Your mind's repression mechanism is working well, then. :)

I think what it actually was was that I had a bit of an idee fixe that new 
entries at the top were rare nowadays, which blinded me to the fact that 
we'd actually had two in a row.

>>>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>>>> --------------------
>>>>
>>>>>>> Mariah Carey
>>>>
>>>>But how's it got to be the one people want to buy? Surely all her fans
>>>>have
>>>>it now.
>>>
>>> You could say that about any record with sustained popularity.
>>
>>You could indeed - so why are other records of sustained popularity so far
>>behind?
>
> Because most sell steadily throughout the year, rather than for a few
> concentrated weeks? Or were you just referring to perennial Xmas songs?

I was comparing to other Christmas track. I do agree with that first 
sentence.

>>> Given that many new/rare visitors to download sites will probably be
>>> logging on this week for the Leon Jackson song, the various Xmas songs
>>> could gain significant benefit as a side-effect.
>>
>>Agreed. I would guess that overall sales will be up for this reason, even
>>if
>>you deduct his.
>
> I'm beginning to wonder if the Katie Melua song was accidentally omitted
> from the download chart last week (as happened recently to both Westlife &
> Oasis), as it doesn't seem credible that a #1 could sell too few downloads
> to reach the top 40?

It's not totally implausible in this case, actually - bearing in mind that 
it's only available from one site, and I'm not sure very many people use it. 
I'd guess the Number 40 download is selling more this week than the rest of 
the year, given that most of the Christmas tracks are selling digitally.

>>> The album chart top 10 has a very MOR/AOR feel this week, with only Amy
>>> W
>>> at #9 breaking the pattern.
>>
>>And if she counts as breaking the pattern...
>
> I thought you might say that, but ISTM that a drunk, stoned, unstable
> singer would lack appeal for the usual MOR crowd! :)

Hmm... the Ratpack anyone?
I take the point, but I think the MOR audience are going to be more 
interested in MOR-sounding music made by a drunk than in straightedge punk.

>>>>>>> Rihanna (DSTM) #37,
>>>
>>> The video appeared on TV today, which suggests even more strongly that
>>> the
>>> CD release date will be brought forward.
>>
>>Possibly, although it was released elsewhere in Europe some time ago so
>>they'd have a video in hand anyway.
>
> How come we got it last, then? IMO it is certainly better than 'Hate That
> I Love You'.

I agree with that, and I don't even particularly like it! Maybe they thought 
a slowie would sell more albums at Christmas time.

>>> On the subject of new videos, I caught Feist's yesterday (My Moon, My
>>> Man)
>>> and thought it was really good, even before I realised who it was (as I
>>> missed the start).
>>>
>>> http://www.listentofeist.com/
>>
>>IIRC that was initially released as the first from the album, so it's
>>logical that they'd re-activate it.
>
> It failed to chart first time, even in the top 200.

It was only on 7". It may not even have been chart-eligible.

>>>>> the post-Xmas
>>>>> new-iPod-filling.
>>>>
>>>>I was just thinking about that last night actually.
>>>
>>> I think a combination of that, combined with the rapid drop-out of Xmas
>>> songs, could produce some really dramatic position changes in the next
>>> few
>>> weeks!
>>
>>And of course this year the iPod fillers won't be restricted to tracks
>>from
>>the previous 12 months
>
> They weren't before, surely?

What people actually bought never was, but only the recent ones would show 
up in the national chart.

>>, although in practice they're sure to dominate.
>
> Of course, most of the biggest songs of the last 12 months are still
> lurking in the lower regions of the top 200 anyway...

Absolutely.

>>>>>>> Next Week
>>>>>>> ---------
>>>>>>> Singles
>>>>>>> -------
>>>>>>> Next week's #1 will only be as surprising as this week's, if it
>>>>>>> *ISN'T*
>>>>>>> the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson!
>>>
>>> Should be comfortably #1 on the mids today, even before the CD is out.
>>
>>He isn't, but only on a technicality.
>
> Notice I added him in anyway...

I did.

        Chris

In uk.music.charts on Wed, 19 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>
>>>>>Which one of those did I miss out? There's no unembarassing answer to
>>>>>that.
>>>>>:-(
>>>>
>>>> I'm guessing 'Babes Aloud'.
>>>
>>>No, that was the first one I thought of. It might actually have been
>>>Leona.
>>
>> Your mind's repression mechanism is working well, then. :)
>
>I think what it actually was was that I had a bit of an idee fixe that new
>entries at the top were rare nowadays, which blinded me to the fact that
>we'd actually had two in a row.

Will be three, come Sunday.

>>
>> I'm beginning to wonder if the Katie Melua song was accidentally omitted
>> from the download chart last week (as happened recently to both Westlife &
>> Oasis), as it doesn't seem credible that a #1 could sell too few downloads
>> to reach the top 40?
>
>It's not totally implausible in this case, actually - bearing in mind that
>it's only available from one site, and I'm not sure very many people use it.
>I'd guess the Number 40 download is selling more this week than the rest of
>the year, given that most of the Christmas tracks are selling digitally.

I've now read on a forum that it sold only 500 digital copies, though I 
have no way to confirm that. If so, it may well have missed the download 
top 200 entirely. I can check that in a few days time, as ManicReindeer 
on Haven has the full list this week.
>
>
>>>>>>>> Rihanna (DSTM) #37,
>>>>
>>>> The video appeared on TV today, which suggests even more strongly that
>>>> the
>>>> CD release date will be brought forward.
>>>
>>>Possibly, although it was released elsewhere in Europe some time ago so
>>>they'd have a video in hand anyway.
>>
>> How come we got it last, then? IMO it is certainly better than 'Hate That
>> I Love You'.
>
>I agree with that, and I don't even particularly like it! Maybe they thought
>a slowie would sell more albums at Christmas time.

Albums sell more at Xmas, period, so having *any* single out would help 
- but preferably one with proven popularity.
>
>>>> On the subject of new videos, I caught Feist's yesterday (My Moon, My
>>>> Man)
>>>> and thought it was really good, even before I realised who it was (as I
>>>> missed the start).
>>
>> It failed to chart first time, even in the top 200.
>
>It was only on 7". It may not even have been chart-eligible.

If it even sold enough for that to be an issue. The main reasons for 
ineligibility are give-aways, or >3 tracks/20 minutes.

>>>
>>>And of course this year the iPod fillers won't be restricted to tracks
>>>from
>>>the previous 12 months
>>
>> They weren't before, surely?
>
>What people actually bought never was, but only the recent ones would show
>up in the national chart.

But you didn't mention the eligibility aspect - your original wording 
accidentally suggested they wouldn't bother downloading ineligible 
tracks.

Of course, we know that wasn't true, as Chasing Cars was #4 on downloads 
the week before it became re-eligible, and #5 the next week, when it was 
#9 overall.

Mariah was still top 10 on downloads the week before the rule change 
kicked in, but naturally plummeted the next week. Wham might well have 
spent the first week of 2007 in the top 40, too. The Pogues download 
sales *were* eligible of course, since there was a physical format 
available.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Col"  wrote in message
news:4766ca6e$1_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>
> "Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
> news:YaiadPD+tiZHFwtR@blueyonder.co.uk...
> >
>>>I can imagine how I'd feel if I'd been a Stevie Wonder fan
>>>in 1984.
>>
>> What happened that year?
>
> I can only assume it's in reference to 'I Just Called to Say I Love You'.
> Whilst this was certainly a very commercial track and indeed rather
> more 'middle of the road' than his usual output it was hardly an
> enormous departure from normal.

I'd agree that it was an example of the direction he was heading in, alas - 
but I don't realistically think you can say it was of a piece with 'Living 
For The City' or 'Superwoman'.

> Mr Wonder was by then well used to big chart singles though nothing
> approaching the mega-sales that song achieved.

That's partly the point though - he had loads of Number One singles in the 
US, but this was the only one he ever managed on his own over here. That 
seems to imply that it was appealing to a lot of people who weren't as keen 
on his other stuff.

It does have a minor place in history though - the first UK chart-topper 
written, produced and performed entirely by one person.

    Chris

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:I5muVmCgnhaHFwFs@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Wed, 19 Dec 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>>
>>> I'm beginning to wonder if the Katie Melua song was accidentally omitted
>>> from the download chart last week (as happened recently to both Westlife
>>> &
>>> Oasis), as it doesn't seem credible that a #1 could sell too few
>>> downloads
>>> to reach the top 40?
>>
>>It's not totally implausible in this case, actually - bearing in mind that
>>it's only available from one site, and I'm not sure very many people use
>>it.
>>I'd guess the Number 40 download is selling more this week than the rest
>>of
>>the year, given that most of the Christmas tracks are selling digitally.
>
> I've now read on a forum that it sold only 500 digital copies, though I
> have no way to confirm that.

It's believable though. It does seem the sort of thing that would sell a 
higher than average proportion of physicals, and I would guess that most 
consumers would be more reluctant to switch download sites than physical 
shops.
I did also wonder whether it would be iPod compatible, but it transpires 
that it is.*


>>>>>>>>> Rihanna (DSTM) #37,
>>>>>
>>>>> The video appeared on TV today, which suggests even more strongly that
>>>>> the
>>>>> CD release date will be brought forward.
>>>>
>>>>Possibly, although it was released elsewhere in Europe some time ago so
>>>>they'd have a video in hand anyway.
>>>
>>> How come we got it last, then? IMO it is certainly better than 'Hate
>>> That
>>> I Love You'.
>>
>>I agree with that, and I don't even particularly like it! Maybe they
>>thought
>>a slowie would sell more albums at Christmas time.
>
> Albums sell more at Xmas, period, so having *any* single out would help -
> but preferably one with proven popularity.

Well kind of - but they might think people would be more inspired to shop by 
a slow song.

>>>>> On the subject of new videos, I caught Feist's yesterday (My Moon, My
>>>>> Man)
>>>>> and thought it was really good, even before I realised who it was (as
>>>>> I
>>>>> missed the start).
>>>
>>> It failed to chart first time, even in the top 200.
>>
>>It was only on 7". It may not even have been chart-eligible.
>
> If it even sold enough for that to be an issue. The main reasons for
> ineligibility are give-aways, or >3 tracks/20 minutes.

And it's certainly not impossible that they could have done the former or 
some other dodge if they didn't want it to chart, or were resigned to the 
fact that it wouldn't.

>>>>And of course this year the iPod fillers won't be restricted to tracks
>>>>from
>>>>the previous 12 months
>>>
>>> They weren't before, surely?
>>
>>What people actually bought never was, but only the recent ones would show
>>up in the national chart.
>
> But you didn't mention the eligibility aspect - your original wording
> accidentally suggested they wouldn't bother >downloading ineligible 
> tracks.

In my head, I was thinking of "iPod fillers" as if it were a proper noun, 
referring to a recognised subset of tracks. That doesn't work unless 
everybody else thinks so though.

> Of course, we know that wasn't true, as Chasing Cars was #4 on downloads
> the week before it became re-eligible, and #5 the next week, when it was
> #9 overall.

And the odds have to be pretty good on it making some chart appearance again 
at the start of next year.

> Mariah was still top 10 on downloads the week before the rule change
> kicked in, but naturally plummeted the next week. Wham might well have
> spent the first week of 2007 in the top 40, too. The Pogues download sales
> *were* eligible of course, since there was a physical format available.

I think that's a bit of a grey area actually - assuming it was available 
then, which I can't really remember. Strictly speaking, wouldn't the 52 week 
rule theoretically have ruled it out in the weeks from Christmas onwards?
Everyhit certainly think a rule was knowingly bent there.

*While I was on their site I found some of her own favourite tracks, if 
you're interested:
http://www.tescodownloads.com/servlets/2452328105705Dispatch/53/Call?htmltemplate=./content/v_cat.html&categoryid=7342&template=0&setter=playlist


    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Thu, 20 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>
>> I've now read on a forum that it sold only 500 digital copies, though I
>> have no way to confirm that.
>
>I did also wonder whether it would be iPod compatible, but it transpires
>that it is.*

Well, surely if a song can be ripped to MP3, it *must* be iPod 
compatible? I know iTunes songs won't work on other players, but AFAIK 
other MP3's will all play on iPods - certainly CD-ripped ones?
>
>>>>>> On the subject of new videos, I caught Feist's yesterday (My Moon, My
>>>>>> Man)
>>>>>> and thought it was really good, even before I realised who it was (as
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> missed the start).
>>>>
>>>> It failed to chart first time, even in the top 200.
>>>
>>>It was only on 7". It may not even have been chart-eligible.
>>
>> If it even sold enough for that to be an issue. The main reasons for
>> ineligibility are give-aways, or >3 tracks/20 minutes.
>
>And it's certainly not impossible that they could have done the former or
>some other dodge if they didn't want it to chart, or were resigned to the
>fact that it wouldn't.

I see Britney's new video is out (Piece Of Me), apparently with some 
electronic trickery to slim her down a bit, after her recent fast-food 
bingeing. :)

Mind you, even looking at the 'before' pictures, I still would... :)
>
>> Of course, we know that wasn't true, as Chasing Cars was #4 on downloads
>> the week before it became re-eligible, and #5 the next week, when it was
>> #9 overall.
>
>And the odds have to be pretty good on it making some chart appearance again
>at the start of next year.

Yes, it's currently #99 - but with 25 Xmas songs above it...

>>The Pogues download sales
>> *were* eligible of course, since there was a physical format available.
>
>I think that's a bit of a grey area actually - assuming it was available
>then, which I can't really remember. Strictly speaking, wouldn't the 52 week
>rule theoretically have ruled it out in the weeks from Christmas onwards?

No, because the CD was reissued, resetting the clock.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:7vZCgJFcv2aHFwzr@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Thu, 20 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>>>
>>> I've now read on a forum that it sold only 500 digital copies, though I
>>> have no way to confirm that.
>>
>>I did also wonder whether it would be iPod compatible, but it transpires
>>that it is.*
>
> Well, surely if a song can be ripped to MP3, it *must* be iPod compatible? 
> I know iTunes songs won't work on other players, but AFAIK other MP3's 
> will all play on iPods - certainly CD-ripped ones?

Oh yes, obviously if you buy the CD and rip it to MP3 you can play that on 
any player you want.
My suspicion was that the digital version sold by Tesco might be a .wma 
because Apple's refusal to licence their DRM means that any rival site 
wanting to offer music from all the labels effectively has to use that 
format. This would obviously depress download sales.
AFAICT, though, the whole site is .wma apart from that one track, which is 
an MP3.

>>> Of course, we know that wasn't true, as Chasing Cars was #4 on downloads
>>> the week before it became re-eligible, and #5 the next week, when it was
>>> #9 overall.
>>
>>And the odds have to be pretty good on it making some chart appearance 
>>again
>>at the start of next year.
>
> Yes, it's currently #99 - but with 25 Xmas songs above it...

Any my (notional) money's on it selling better when they've gone.

>>>The Pogues download sales
>>> *were* eligible of course, since there was a physical format available.
>>
>>I think that's a bit of a grey area actually - assuming it was available
>>then, which I can't really remember. Strictly speaking, wouldn't the 52 
>>week
>>rule theoretically have ruled it out in the weeks from Christmas onwards?
>
> No, because the CD was reissued, resetting the clock.

Is that definite? I know that applied when there was an entirely new release 
(a "new entry" by the OCC definition) but did that apply to new stock of the 
same disc as well?
Of course the point's moot now anyway.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Fri, 21 Dec 2007, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>
>>>>Chasing Cars
>>>
>>>And the odds have to be pretty good on it making some chart appearance
>>>again
>>>at the start of next year.
>>
>> Yes, it's currently #99 - but with 25 Xmas songs above it...
>
>Any my (notional) money's on it selling better when they've gone.

Enough to get back into the top 75, at least.
>
>>>>The Pogues download sales
>>>> *were* eligible of course, since there was a physical format available.
>>>
>>>I think that's a bit of a grey area actually - assuming it was available
>>>then, which I can't really remember. Strictly speaking, wouldn't the 52
>>>week
>>>rule theoretically have ruled it out in the weeks from Christmas onwards?
>>
>> No, because the CD was reissued, resetting the clock.
>
>Is that definite? I know that applied when there was an entirely new release
>(a "new entry" by the OCC definition) but did that apply to new stock of the
>same disc as well?

Yes it did.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:zzXAHSBihLbHFwrh@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Fri, 21 Dec 2007, Chris Brown
>  wrote :
>>
>>>>>Chasing Cars
>>>>
>>>>And the odds have to be pretty good on it making some chart appearance
>>>>again
>>>>at the start of next year.
>>>
>>> Yes, it's currently #99 - but with 25 Xmas songs above it...
>>
>>Any my (notional) money's on it selling better when they've gone.
>
> Enough to get back into the top 75, at least.

Well, just subtracting the Christmas songs will do that - my guess is that 
it'll actually gain some sales as well.

>>>>>The Pogues download sales
>>>>> *were* eligible of course, since there was a physical format
>>>>> available.
>>>>
>>>>I think that's a bit of a grey area actually - assuming it was available
>>>>then, which I can't really remember. Strictly speaking, wouldn't the 52
>>>>week
>>>>rule theoretically have ruled it out in the weeks from Christmas
>>>>onwards?
>>>
>>> No, because the CD was reissued, resetting the clock.
>>
>>Is that definite? I know that applied when there was an entirely new
>>release
>>(a "new entry" by the OCC definition) but did that apply to new stock of
>>the
>>same disc as well?
>
> Yes it did.

OK then. I still don't really remember seeing the CD last year, but I don't 
suppose I'd have to.

    Chris

Chris Brown wrote:
> "Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
> news:zzXAHSBihLbHFwrh@blueyonder.co.uk...
>> In uk.music.charts on Fri, 21 Dec 2007, Chris Brown
>>  wrote :
>>>>>> Chasing Cars
>>>>> And the odds have to be pretty good on it making some chart appearance
>>>>> again
>>>>> at the start of next year.
>>>> Yes, it's currently #99 - but with 25 Xmas songs above it...
>>> Any my (notional) money's on it selling better when they've gone.
>> Enough to get back into the top 75, at least.
> 
> Well, just subtracting the Christmas songs will do that - my guess is that 
> it'll actually gain some sales as well.
> 
>>>>>> The Pogues download sales
>>>>>> *were* eligible of course, since there was a physical format
>>>>>> available.
>>>>> I think that's a bit of a grey area actually - assuming it was available
>>>>> then, which I can't really remember. Strictly speaking, wouldn't the 52
>>>>> week
>>>>> rule theoretically have ruled it out in the weeks from Christmas
>>>>> onwards?
>>>> No, because the CD was reissued, resetting the clock.
>>> Is that definite? I know that applied when there was an entirely new
>>> release
>>> (a "new entry" by the OCC definition) but did that apply to new stock of
>>> the
>>> same disc as well?
>> Yes it did.
> 
> OK then. I still don't really remember seeing the CD last year, but I don't 
> suppose I'd have to.
> 
>     Chris
> 
> 

The Pogues should have been ineligible for the charts last Christmas 
week but the OCC applied some common sense and allowed the song to 
continue charting. Theoretically the song should have been re-issued 
under a new catalog number to avoid falling foul of the 52 week rule, or 
have been excluded.

There was a fair amount of comment at yhe music boards about it at the time.

-- 
Robbie