Singles
-------
Leon Jackson retains the #1 spot, but with a rapidly diminishing margin!

New Entries/Climbers
--------------------
Top 10 : Soulja Boy #2, Nickelback #8
Top 20 : Rihanna (DSTM) #12, Basshunter #14, Scouting For Girls #17, 
Britney #19, Mika #20
Top 30 : Booty Luv #21, Kate Nash #23, White Stripes #30
Top 40 : none

Three re-entries : Kate Nash (F) #34, Mika (GK) #35, Take That (Sh) #36

New outside the top 40 (plus new peaks) : Kanye West #41, Girls Aloud 
(St T) #51, Robyn #55, Mutya & Amy W #73

Albums
------
At last we have a new #1 - Radiohead ending Leona's 7 week reign. This 
despite their album being 'given away' on-line in a publicity stunt last 
Autumn.

I guess this shows that, for albums at least, there is still a strong 
role for CD's.

NE's (top 20) : none - apart from the above, obviously. :)

New outside the top 20 : none

Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
While his replacement is far from obvious, it appears as if Leon's sales 
are dropping so swiftly that he *will* lose the top spot. It could well 
be a pre-Xmas release that topples him - possibly even Take That. The 
least unlikely of the new releases to take over is probably Britney, 
though she'll probably have to settle for top 10.

Basically though - please *ANYTHING* other than Soulja Boy! :(

Top 10 : Basshunter, Britney
Top 20 : Bodyrox ft Luciana, Hoosiers
Top 30 : Girls Aloud (ST), Maccabees
Top 40 : Electrovamp

Any other possibilities?


Albums
------
With nothing new of any significance, and Radiohead's sales likely to 
slide significantly, it seems likely that someone like Take That or 
Leona will climb back to #1 - possibly on sales of under 30k.

Top 20 NE : none

Others : Tom Baxter
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:2fPBMoTtKTgHFwR+@blueyonder.co.uk...
> Singles
> -------
> Leon Jackson retains the #1 spot, but with a rapidly diminishing margin!

Not a lot to say about this now, if there ever was.
And it's a quiet week overall, with only four new arrivals to the Top 40 - 
two of them are pre-release downloads and the other two aren't really new.

> New Entries/Climbers
> --------------------
> Top 10 : Soulja Boy #2,

Belated peak for the only major rap hit to boast about regular masturbation. 
I presume this is related to the party season.

>Nickelback #8

At least we can theorise about why this is climbing. I wonder if people are 
buying it now who were initially resistant to it because of the band's 
previous work?

> Top 20 :  Basshunter #14,

Out tomorrow on CDs & 12".

> Scouting For Girls #17,

Number One on airplay apparently.

> Britney #19,

Out tomorrow on CD, barring any last-minute change of plans.
However, I've heard it claimed that some shops are already leaking it.

>Mika #20

Fifth or sixth release from the album that's surely made its point by now, 
'Relax, Take It Easy' is a revival of his UK debut single, which fell short 
of the Top 100 here, but went on to become a huge hit elsewhere in Europe.
Apparently the resemblance to Cutting Crew is intentional. That's a sentence 
I've never had to type before!

> Top 30 : Booty Luv #21,

Not yet a fourth Top 20 single for them after all, then. I wonder if 
physicals or downloads have driven this climb?

> Kate Nash #23,

Now matching the peak of 'Mouthwash'. I wonder whether Polydor should have 
released it now instead.

> White Stripes #30

Third single from the Icky Thump album is a cover of a song originally 
recorded by early country crossover star Patti Page, converted into the 
usual Stripes style with the addition of mariachi trumpet. It's a typically 
unpredictable move from them, and as if the record wasn't unusual enough 
it's been released on three differently-coloured 7" singles, each backed by 
a different collaboration with Beck.
It just about maintains their consistent record of Top 30 success with 
fully-fledged UK singles.

> Top 40 : none
>
> Three re-entries : Mika (GK) #35,

Which gives him three Top 40 singles altogether, and four in the Top 75.

>Take That (Sh) #36

Add your own punchline.

> New outside the top 40 (plus new peaks) :

> Girls Aloud (St T) #51,

One of a couple of tracks they've recorded for the new St Trinian's turkey, 
although as this arrives in the middle of the promotion for their current 
album it's not getting a proper single release and so is almost certain to 
interrupt their run of Top 10 singles.


> Robyn #55,

Out on CD & 12" on the 14th.

>Mutya & Amy W #73

Bad news for anyone who'd bet on it for Christmas Number Two (18-1 in 
places!) but then this is an authentically terrible single, an idea that 
should never have seen the light of day. At least Amy Winehouse might have 
needed the money.

At least Mutya can claim not to be the most humbled familiar act though - 
that alleged Queen single is somewhere on the fringes of the Top 100.

> Albums
> ------
> At last we have a new #1 - Radiohead ending Leona's 7 week reign. This 
> despite their album being 'given away' on-line in a publicity stunt last 
> Autumn.

Yes, this is the album that for a couple of months you could download a 
low-quality MP3 of for any price you liked (up to £99:99), now available on 
a compact disc, LP or higher-quality download.


> I guess this shows that, for albums at least, there is still a strong role 
> for CD's.

And to a lesser extent the other formats, but I think we already knew that.
Inevitably, the fuss about how this record first appeared has somewhat 
overshadowed the music on the disc here, so let's note the fact that it's 
their most conventional and approachable album for a decade or so 
(admittedly, a relative judgment) a set of ten songs with words and melodies 
and everything.
Unsurprisingly, and in a potentially good sign for the future of pop, it 
becomes their fifth consecutive chart-topping studio album; presumably it'll 
also be their first indie Number One, and it's already reached the US Top 
200 on leaks.
It's their first new album since Hail To The Thief in 2003, although the 
semi-import compilation Com Lag 2+2=5 crept into the Top 40 the following 
year. Thom Yorke has, of course, enjoyed [if that's the right word] a Top 3 
album in his own right.

> NE's (top 20) : none - apart from the above, obviously. :)

Nope. To be honest I haven't even bothered to look.


> Next Week
> ---------
> Singles
> -------
> While his replacement is far from obvious, it appears as if Leon's sales 
> are dropping so swiftly that he *will* lose the top spot. It could well be 
> a pre-Xmas release that topples him - possibly even Take That.

Why them, particularly?

>The least unlikely of the new releases to take over is probably Britney, 
>though she'll probably have to settle for top 10.

A long way to climb from there, especially if she has already leaked a 
significant number of physical sales.

> Basically though - please *ANYTHING* other than Soulja Boy! :(

Don't you think Basshunter should be factored into it somewhere? A dance 
record that can go Top 20 on downloads from nowhere can't be overlooked IMO.

> Top 10 : Basshunter, Britney

See above.

> Top 20 : Bodyrox ft Luciana,

I hadn't heard it until tonight though.

>Hoosiers

Difficult to doubt, although it's not done great business on downloads.

> Top 30 : Girls Aloud (ST),

Again, though, it's not moved much during this week and it's not going to 
become more available, so it'll need a surge in demand.

>Maccabees

This does have the advantage of being in an advert, apparently.

> Top 40 : Electrovamp

Isn't this meant to be out already?

> Any other possibilities?

British Sea Power had a surprise Top 20 single a couple of Januaries ago, 
which must put them on the agenda.
And Ringo is back!

> Albums
> ------
> With nothing new of any significance, and Radiohead's sales likely to 
> slide significantly, it seems likely that someone like Take That or Leona 
> will climb back to #1 - possibly on sales of under 30k.

I would tend to agree with this.

> Top 20 NE : none
>
> Others : Tom Baxter

I can see why they want to sneak the album out now when there are no other 
releases, but it's odd that they released the single so far ahead.

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

http://thehitparade.blogspot.com

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

In uk.music.charts on Sun, 6 Jan 2008, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>
>"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
>news:2fPBMoTtKTgHFwR+@blueyonder.co.uk...

>> Singles
>> -------
>> Leon Jackson retains the #1 spot, but with a rapidly diminishing margin!
>
>Not a lot to say about this now, if there ever was.

Nothing complimentary, anyway. :)

>And it's a quiet week overall, with only four new arrivals to the Top 40 -
>two of them are pre-release downloads and the other two aren't really new.

Only *one* is genuinely new - White Stripes.

Mika, Britney & Basshunter all charted last year on downloads - in fact 
the Mika song first charted in 2006!
>
>> New Entries/Climbers
>> --------------------
>> Top 10 : Soulja Boy #2,
>
>Belated peak for the only major rap hit to boast about regular masturbation.

I've avoided this song so assiduously, that I didn't even know that's 
what it was about, until now!
>
>I presume this is related to the party season.
>
I don't think the regularity of it depends on the time of year... :)

>>Nickelback #8
>
>At least we can theorise about why this is climbing. I wonder if people are
>buying it now who were initially resistant to it because of the band's
>previous work?

Or maybe they want to hear the uncut version...

Of course, any song is going to benefit if it can maintain (or increase) 
its pre-Xmas sales level into the new year.
>
>> Top 20 :  Basshunter #14,
>
>Out tomorrow on CDs & 12".
>
I guess this was an *official* download release, since it didn't reach 
the top 100 on downloads in December.

>> Scouting For Girls #17,
>
>Number One on airplay apparently.

I'm guessing you're as mystified about that, as I am...
>
>> Britney #19,
>
>Out tomorrow on CD, barring any last-minute change of plans.
>However, I've heard it claimed that some shops are already leaking it.

I hope it does well - she could use some *good* news!
>
>>Mika #20
>
>Fifth or sixth release from the album that's surely made its point by now,
>'Relax, Take It Easy' is a revival of his UK debut single, which fell short
>of the Top 100 here, but went on to become a huge hit elsewhere in Europe.

It's a double-A with 'Lollipop', of course.
>
>> Top 30 : Booty Luv #21,
>
>Not yet a fourth Top 20 single for them after all, then. I wonder if
>physicals or downloads have driven this climb?

Or just the overall drop in the market?
>
>> White Stripes #30
>
>Third single from the Icky Thump album is a cover of a song originally
>recorded by early country crossover star Patti Page, converted into the
>usual Stripes style with the addition of mariachi trumpet. It's a typically
>unpredictable move from them, and as if the record wasn't unusual enough
>it's been released on three differently-coloured 7" singles, each backed by
>a different collaboration with Beck.
>It just about maintains their consistent record of Top 30 success with
>fully-fledged UK singles.

It's bloody awful, though. :(
>>
>> Three re-entries : Mika (GK) #35,
>
>Which gives him three Top 40 singles altogether

So does Rihanna.

>, and four in the Top 75.

Ditto.
>
>> New outside the top 40 (plus new peaks) :
>
>> Girls Aloud (St T) #51,
>
>One of a couple of tracks they've recorded for the new St Trinian's turkey,
>although as this arrives in the middle of the promotion for their current
>album it's not getting a proper single release and so is almost certain to
>interrupt their run of Top 10 singles.

Not to mention, once again raising the question of whether 'unofficial' 
releases should be deemed to break such chart runs...
>
>> Robyn #55,
>
>Out on CD & 12" on the 14th.

Not a bad position two weeks prior to full release.
>
>>Mutya & Amy W #73
>
>Bad news for anyone who'd bet on it for Christmas Number Two (18-1 in
>places!) but then this is an authentically terrible single, an idea that
>should never have seen the light of day. At least Amy Winehouse might have
>needed the money.

Given the sales of her two albums in 2007 (or three if you count the 
special edition separately), she's probably earned more than Mutya!
>
>> Albums
>> ------
>> At last we have a new #1 - Radiohead ending Leona's 7 week reign. This
>> despite their album being 'given away' on-line in a publicity stunt last
>> Autumn.
>
>Yes, this is the album that for a couple of months you could download a
>low-quality MP3 of for any price you liked

What bit-rate was it, then?

> now available on
>a compact disc, LP or higher-quality download.

How many more copies would it have sold if not for the above offer, I 
wonder?
>
>> I guess this shows that, for albums at least, there is still a strong role
>> for CD's.
>
>And to a lesser extent the other formats, but I think we already knew that.

>Inevitably, the fuss about how this record first appeared has somewhat
>overshadowed the music on the disc here, so let's note the fact that it's
>their most conventional and approachable album for a decade or so
>(admittedly, a relative judgment) a set of ten songs with words and melodies
>and everything.

As opposed to what?

>Unsurprisingly, and in a potentially good sign for the future of pop, it
>becomes their fifth consecutive chart-topping studio album; presumably it'll
>also be their first indie Number One, and it's already reached the US Top
>200 on leaks.

Big deal - have you seen how few sales it now takes to reach the US 
album top 200...
>
>> Next Week
>> ---------
>> Singles
>> -------
>> While his replacement is far from obvious, it appears as if Leon's sales
>> are dropping so swiftly that he *will* lose the top spot. It could well be
>> a pre-Xmas release that topples him - possibly even Take That.
>
>Why them, particularly?

Because I wrote that before I saw what position they ended up this week?
>
>>The least unlikely of the new releases to take over is probably Britney,
>>though she'll probably have to settle for top 10.
>
>A long way to climb from there

<Cough>Sugababes<cough>

>, especially if she has already leaked a
>significant number of physical sales.

Leaks are never more than a few hundred at most.
>
>> Basically though - please *ANYTHING* other than Soulja Boy! :(
>
>Don't you think Basshunter should be factored into it somewhere? A dance
>record that can go Top 20 on downloads from nowhere can't be overlooked IMO.

Maybe, but IMO it just doesn't have the edge to make it all the way - 
not that I'll be complaining if it keeps SB off the top...
>
>> Top 10 : Basshunter, Britney
>
>See above.
>
>> Top 20 : Bodyrox ft Luciana,
>
>I hadn't heard it until tonight though.

Luciana is more of a chav even than Britney. :)
>
>>Hoosiers
>
>Difficult to doubt, although it's not done great business on downloads.

3rd from the album, so not that surprising.
>
>> Top 30 : Girls Aloud (ST),
>
>Again, though, it's not moved much during this week

A 45 place climb from #96 is 'not much of a move'??

> and it's not going to
>become more available, so it'll need a surge in demand.

Err... that's pretty much implied by a chart climb. :)
>
>>Maccabees
>
>This does have the advantage of being in an advert, apparently.

Not one I'm familiar with.
>
>> Top 40 : Electrovamp
>
>Isn't this meant to be out already?

You're not the first person to ask that, but apparently their website 
says otherwise.
>
>> Any other possibilities?
>
>British Sea Power had a surprise Top 20 single a couple of Januaries ago,
>which must put them on the agenda.

>And Ringo is back!
>
It's very hard to judge how records will do, when they totally lack 
promo.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

What were yesterday's winning lottery numbers? ;)

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 7 Jan 2008, Anton Gÿsen 
<anton@invalid.invalid> wrote :

>What were yesterday's winning lottery numbers? ;)

Huh?
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

Paul Hyett wrote:
> In uk.music.charts on Mon, 7 Jan 2008, Anton Gÿsen 
> <anton@invalid.invalid> wrote :
> 
>> What were yesterday's winning lottery numbers? ;)
> 
> Huh?

Saturday's winning lottery numbers, even.

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:fVbrOlD9gdgHFw0c@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Sun, 6 Jan 2008, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>>
>>"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
>>news:2fPBMoTtKTgHFwR+@blueyonder.co.uk...
>
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> Leon Jackson retains the #1 spot, but with a rapidly diminishing margin!
>>
>>Not a lot to say about this now, if there ever was.
>
> Nothing complimentary, anyway. :)

There's not even a lot to be said against it really. There's not enough to 
get your teeth into.

>>And it's a quiet week overall, with only four new arrivals to the Top 40 -
>>two of them are pre-release downloads and the other two aren't really new.
>
> Only *one* is genuinely new - White Stripes.

Arguably even that one isn't new, being a cover.

> Mika, Britney & Basshunter all charted last year on downloads - in fact 
> the Mika song first charted in 2006!

That's what I said (although I didn't specifically know about the 
Basshunter).

>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>> --------------------
>>> Top 10 : Soulja Boy #2,
>>
>>Belated peak for the only major rap hit to boast about regular 
>>masturbation.
>
> I've avoided this song so assiduously, that I didn't even know that's what 
> it was about, until now!

He cranks it every day, apparently.

>>I presume this is related to the party season.
>>
> I don't think the regularity of it depends on the time of year... :)

Well, it's colder in the winter, I don't suppose he gets out as often now.

>>>Nickelback #8
>>
>>At least we can theorise about why this is climbing. I wonder if people 
>>are
>>buying it now who were initially resistant to it because of the band's
>>previous work?
>
> Or maybe they want to hear the uncut version...

They wouldn't care if they didn't like it anyway.

> Of course, any song is going to benefit if it can maintain (or increase) 
> its pre-Xmas sales level into the new year.

That is true - but by definition it's only true because most songs don't.

>>> Top 20 :  Basshunter #14,
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CDs & 12".
>>
> I guess this was an *official* download release, since it didn't reach the 
> top 100 on downloads in December.

But presumably charted somewhere lower?

>>> Scouting For Girls #17,
>>
>>Number One on airplay apparently.
>
> I'm guessing you're as mystified about that, as I am...

This late in the game, yes. My best guess is that stations are finishing 
with 'Bleeding Love' and this has been the main beneficiary.

>>> Britney #19,
>>
>>Out tomorrow on CD, barring any last-minute change of plans.
>>However, I've heard it claimed that some shops are already leaking it.
>
> I hope it does well - she could use some *good* news!

Although this track being essentially her personal problems with a price 
sticker on them would make it slightly mixed news in any case.

>>>Mika #20
>>
>>Fifth or sixth release from the album that's surely made its point by now,
>>'Relax, Take It Easy' is a revival of his UK debut single, which fell 
>>short
>>of the Top 100 here, but went on to become a huge hit elsewhere in Europe.
>
> It's a double-A with 'Lollipop', of course.

Officially, although if anybody downloaded 'Lollipop' that will have charted 
seperately.

>>> Top 30 : Booty Luv #21,
>>
>>Not yet a fourth Top 20 single for them after all, then. I wonder if
>>physicals or downloads have driven this climb?
>
> Or just the overall drop in the market?

But they'd have had to sustain sales fairly well themselves.

>>> White Stripes #30
>>
>>Third single from the Icky Thump album is a cover of a song originally
>>recorded by early country crossover star Patti Page, converted into the
>>usual Stripes style with the addition of mariachi trumpet. It's a 
>>typically
>>unpredictable move from them, and as if the record wasn't unusual enough
>>it's been released on three differently-coloured 7" singles, each backed 
>>by
>>a different collaboration with Beck.
>>It just about maintains their consistent record of Top 30 success with
>>fully-fledged UK singles.
>
> It's bloody awful, though. :(

Not to everyone's taste, I admit. But in a world where the Fratellis exist, 
it's good to see a successful band take a risk.

>>> Three re-entries : Mika (GK) #35,
>>
>>Which gives him three Top 40 singles altogether
>
> So does Rihanna.

Rihanna's been giving Mika singles?

>>, and four in the Top 75.
>
> Ditto.

This is true, but Rihanna having losts of songs in the chart simultaneously 
isn't really newsworthy any more.

>>> New outside the top 40 (plus new peaks) :
>>
>>> Robyn #55,
>>
>>Out on CD & 12" on the 14th.
>
> Not a bad position two weeks prior to full release.

Better than the last one managed.

>>>Mutya & Amy W #73
>>
>>Bad news for anyone who'd bet on it for Christmas Number Two (18-1 in
>>places!) but then this is an authentically terrible single, an idea that
>>should never have seen the light of day. At least Amy Winehouse might have
>>needed the money.
>
> Given the sales of her two albums in 2007 (or three if you count the 
> special edition separately), she's probably earned more than Mutya!

Well, yes, but maybe she needed some cash in hand for some reason... ;-)

>>> Albums
>>> ------
>>> At last we have a new #1 - Radiohead ending Leona's 7 week reign. This
>>> despite their album being 'given away' on-line in a publicity stunt last
>>> Autumn.
>>
>>Yes, this is the album that for a couple of months you could download a
>>low-quality MP3 of for any price you liked
>
> What bit-rate was it, then?

160 Kbps. Although they didn't announce this until some people had already 
paid.
For comparison, 7Digital now have it for sale in 320k MP3 or in FLAC.

>> now available on
>>a compact disc, LP or higher-quality download.
>
> How many more copies would it have sold if not for the above offer, I 
> wonder?

Very difficult to tell, frankly. It's worth remembering, though, that all 
their albums since Kid A have been leaked online and still succeeded in 
topping the charts.
I'd guess that people who paid for the download (or the deluxe physical 
version) will have undermined sales more than those of us who got it for 
nothing.

>>> I guess this shows that, for albums at least, there is still a strong 
>>> role
>>> for CD's.
>>
>>And to a lesser extent the other formats, but I think we already knew 
>>that.
>
>>Inevitably, the fuss about how this record first appeared has somewhat
>>overshadowed the music on the disc here, so let's note the fact that it's
>>their most conventional and approachable album for a decade or so
>>(admittedly, a relative judgment) a set of ten songs with words and 
>>melodies
>>and everything.
>
> As opposed to what?

You've never listened to Kid A have you? ;-)

Their albums this century have been sprinkled with instrumentals, 
spoken-word tracks and other odd stuff.

>>Unsurprisingly, and in a potentially good sign for the future of pop, it
>>becomes their fifth consecutive chart-topping studio album; presumably 
>>it'll
>>also be their first indie Number One, and it's already reached the US Top
>>200 on leaks.
>
> Big deal - have you seen how few sales it now takes to reach the US album 
> top 200...

About 9000 in this case apparently. Well, it probably could have been Number 
200 on less than that...

>>> Next Week
>>> ---------
>>> Singles
>>> -------
>>> While his replacement is far from obvious, it appears as if Leon's sales
>>> are dropping so swiftly that he *will* lose the top spot. It could well 
>>> be
>>> a pre-Xmas release that topples him - possibly even Take That.
>>
>>Why them, particularly?
>
> Because I wrote that before I saw what position they ended up this week?

Good reason.

>>>The least unlikely of the new releases to take over is probably Britney,
>>>though she'll probably have to settle for top 10.
>>
>>A long way to climb from there
>
> <Cough>Sugababes<cough>

Doesn't count.

>>, especially if she has already leaked a
>>significant number of physical sales.
>
> Leaks are never more than a few hundred at most.

I got the impression this was an unusally big one - but that's not readily 
verifiable of course.

>>> Basically though - please *ANYTHING* other than Soulja Boy! :(
>>
>>Don't you think Basshunter should be factored into it somewhere? A dance
>>record that can go Top 20 on downloads from nowhere can't be overlooked 
>>IMO.
>
> Maybe, but IMO it just doesn't have the edge to make it all the way - not 
> that I'll be complaining if it keeps SB off the top...

How do you mean, edge?


>>> Top 20 : Bodyrox ft Luciana,
>>
>>I hadn't heard it until tonight though.
>
> Luciana is more of a chav even than Britney. :)

At least when it suits.

>>>Hoosiers
>>
>>Difficult to doubt, although it's not done great business on downloads.
>
> 3rd from the album, so not that surprising.

Sort of, but people obviously aren't reluctant to download the other two 
singles even now.

>>> Top 30 : Girls Aloud (ST),
>>
>>Again, though, it's not moved much during this week
>
> A 45 place climb from #96 is 'not much of a move'??

That didn't happen during the week though - Mutya was 96 in the first set of 
mids.

>> and it's not going to
>>become more available, so it'll need a surge in demand.
>
> Err... that's pretty much implied by a chart climb. :)

Unless it's due to a boost in availability.

>>>Maccabees
>>
>>This does have the advantage of being in an advert, apparently.
>
> Not one I'm familiar with.

There's a sticker on the front telling you - something to do with mobile 
phones IIRC.
Whatever it was the record company think it's a big enough deal not only to 
make this a full-scale single release but to relaunch the album off the back 
of it.

>>> Top 40 : Electrovamp
>>
>>Isn't this meant to be out already?
>
> You're not the first person to ask that, but apparently their website says 
> otherwise.

Does it say why anybody could possibly want to buy it?

>>> Any other possibilities?
>>
>>British Sea Power had a surprise Top 20 single a couple of Januaries ago,
>>which must put them on the agenda.
>
>>And Ringo is back!
>>
> It's very hard to judge how records will do, when they totally lack promo.

In BSP's case, though, they never really have had it, other than press. And 
Ringo has the atypical gimmick this time that his song is the theme of the 
City Of Culture stuff - which is of course also a good excuse to release it 
in January.

BTW, I forgot to mention the Celine Dion single, and logic suggests that if 
Kanye got as high as 41 the odds are on him making it to the Top 40.

    Chris

In uk.music.charts on Mon, 7 Jan 2008, Chris Brown 
 wrote :
>>
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>it's a quiet week overall, with only four new arrivals to the Top 40 -
>>>two of them are pre-release downloads and the other two aren't really new.
>>
>> Only *one* is genuinely new - White Stripes.
>
>Arguably even that one isn't new, being a cover.

By *new*, I generally mean it hasn't charted before, in this version, by 
this artist.
>
>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>> --------------------
>>>>Nickelback #8

>>maybe they want to hear the uncut version...
>
>They wouldn't care if they didn't like it anyway.

Well, duh. :)
>
>>>> Top 20 :  Basshunter #14,
>>>
>>>Out tomorrow on CDs & 12".
>>>
>> I guess this was an *official* download release, since it didn't reach the
>> top 100 on downloads in December.
>
>But presumably charted somewhere lower?

Yes, #170 on 8/12, climbing to #119 the next week. Presumably it then 
either got withdrawn, or snowed under by the sheer volume of Xmas 
singles.
>
>>>> Britney #19,
>
>Although this track being essentially her personal problems with a price
>sticker on them would make it slightly mixed news in any case.

Except that this is a first-hand report, rather than a tabloid 
distortion of them... :)
>
>>>>Mika #20
>>
>> It's a double-A with 'Lollipop', of course.
>
>Officially, although if anybody downloaded 'Lollipop' that will have charted
>seperately.

It has, at #77 this week.
>
>>>> Top 30 : Booty Luv #21,
>>>
>>>Not yet a fourth Top 20 single for them after all, then. I wonder if
>>>physicals or downloads have driven this climb?
>>
>> Or just the overall drop in the market?
>
>But they'd have had to sustain sales fairly well themselves.

It's new-ish, so why not?
>
>>>>Mutya & Amy W #73
>>>
>>>Bad news for anyone who'd bet on it for Christmas Number Two (18-1 in
>>>places!) but then this is an authentically terrible single, an idea that
>>>should never have seen the light of day. At least Amy Winehouse might have
>>>needed the money.
>>
>> Given the sales of her two albums in 2007 (or three if you count the
>> special edition separately), she's probably earned more than Mutya!
>
>Well, yes, but maybe she needed some cash in hand for some reason... ;-)

To pay for her husband's lawyer? :)
>
>>>> Albums
>>>> ------
>>>> At last we have a new #1 - Radiohead ending Leona's 7 week reign.
>>>
>>>Yes, this is the album that for a couple of months you could download a
>>>low-quality MP3 of for any price you liked
>>
>> What bit-rate was it, then?
>
>160 Kbps. Although they didn't announce this until some people had already
>paid.
>For comparison, 7Digital now have it for sale in 320k MP3 or in FLAC.

What's the problem - all the songs on my MP3 player are at just 80Kbps, 
and they don't sound significantly worse than the original CD.

>>>it's already reached the US Top
>>>200 on leaks.
>>
>> Big deal - have you seen how few sales it now takes to reach the US album
>> top 200...
>
>About 9000 in this case apparently. Well, it probably could have been Number
>200 on less than that...

Little more than 4k, sometimes.
>
>>>> Next Week
>>>> ---------
>>>> Singles
>>>> -------
>>>>The least unlikely of the new releases to take over is probably Britney,
>>>>though she'll probably have to settle for top 10.
>>>
>>>A long way to climb from there
>>
>> <Cough>Sugababes<cough>
>
>Doesn't count.

Look in the record books... :)
>
>>>> Basically though - please *ANYTHING* other than Soulja Boy! :(
>>>
>>>Don't you think Basshunter should be factored into it somewhere? A dance
>>>record that can go Top 20 on downloads from nowhere can't be overlooked
>>>IMO.
>>
>> Maybe, but IMO it just doesn't have the edge to make it all the way - not
>> that I'll be complaining if it keeps SB off the top...
>
>How do you mean, edge?

That I personally don't like it? :)
>
>
>>>> Top 20 : Bodyrox ft Luciana,
>>>
>>>I hadn't heard it until tonight though.
>>
>> Luciana is more of a chav even than Britney. :)
>
>At least when it suits.

Which - the former or the latter?
>
>>>> Top 30 : Girls Aloud (ST),
>>>
>>>Again, though, it's not moved much during this week
>>
>> A 45 place climb from #96 is 'not much of a move'??
>
>That didn't happen during the week though - Mutya was 96 in the first set of
>mids.

But it's only the Sunday position that *really* counts...
>
>>>> Top 40 : Electrovamp
>>>
>>>Isn't this meant to be out already?
>>
>> You're not the first person to ask that, but apparently their website says
>> otherwise.
>
>Does it say why anybody could possibly want to buy it?
>
I've heard worse.

>>>> Any other possibilities?
>
>logic suggests that if
>Kanye got as high as 41 the odds are on him making it to the Top 40.

Unfortunately, but his last one did bomb, so...
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:76XSFGCNcygHFwC$@blueyonder.co.uk...
> In uk.music.charts on Mon, 7 Jan 2008, Chris Brown 
>  wrote :
>>>
>>>>> Singles
>>>>> -------
>>>>it's a quiet week overall, with only four new arrivals to the Top 40 -
>>>>two of them are pre-release downloads and the other two aren't really 
>>>>new.
>>>
>>> Only *one* is genuinely new - White Stripes.
>>
>>Arguably even that one isn't new, being a cover.
>
> By *new*, I generally mean it hasn't charted before, in this version, by 
> this artist.

Yes, I know. I was just using that to emphasise how little excitement there 
was here.

>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>> --------------------
>>>>>Nickelback #8
>
>>>>> Top 20 :  Basshunter #14,
>>>>
>>>>Out tomorrow on CDs & 12".
>>>>
>>> I guess this was an *official* download release, since it didn't reach 
>>> the
>>> top 100 on downloads in December.
>>
>>But presumably charted somewhere lower?
>
> Yes, #170 on 8/12, climbing to #119 the next week. Presumably it then 
> either got withdrawn, or snowed under by the sheer volume of Xmas singles.

The latter seems slightly more plausible under the circumstances. But it 
certainly was re-released as a download last week - that may just have been 
the full package of mixes.

>>>>> Britney #19,
>>
>>Although this track being essentially her personal problems with a price
>>sticker on them would make it slightly mixed news in any case.
>
> Except that this is a first-hand report, rather than a tabloid distortion 
> of them... :)

Not that first-hand - she didn't write it herself.

>>>>>Mika #20
>>>
>>> It's a double-A with 'Lollipop', of course.
>>
>>Officially, although if anybody downloaded 'Lollipop' that will have 
>>charted
>>seperately.
>
> It has, at #77 this week.

There we are then.
Anything else exciting below 75?

>>>>> Top 30 : Booty Luv #21,
>>>>
>>>>Not yet a fourth Top 20 single for them after all, then. I wonder if
>>>>physicals or downloads have driven this climb?
>>>
>>> Or just the overall drop in the market?
>>
>>But they'd have had to sustain sales fairly well themselves.
>
> It's new-ish, so why not?

They might have slipped the week the physical wasn't new anymore. But I can 
see why that might not have been the case.

>>>>>Mutya & Amy W #73
>>>>
>>>>Bad news for anyone who'd bet on it for Christmas Number Two (18-1 in
>>>>places!) but then this is an authentically terrible single, an idea that
>>>>should never have seen the light of day. At least Amy Winehouse might 
>>>>have
>>>>needed the money.
>>>
>>> Given the sales of her two albums in 2007 (or three if you count the
>>> special edition separately), she's probably earned more than Mutya!
>>
>>Well, yes, but maybe she needed some cash in hand for some reason... ;-)
>
> To pay for her husband's lawyer? :)

Or a big armful of drugs.

>>>>> Albums
>>>>> ------
>>>>> At last we have a new #1 - Radiohead ending Leona's 7 week reign.
>>>>
>>>>Yes, this is the album that for a couple of months you could download a
>>>>low-quality MP3 of for any price you liked
>>>
>>> What bit-rate was it, then?
>>
>>160 Kbps. Although they didn't announce this until some people had already
>>paid.
>>For comparison, 7Digital now have it for sale in 320k MP3 or in FLAC.
>
> What's the problem - all the songs on my MP3 player are at just 80Kbps, 
> and they don't sound significantly worse than the original CD.

Not necessarily on the MP3 player, but play them out on a stereo and it can 
be more obvious. This is why most people will make a distinction between the 
quality of files they'll rip from CD and the quality they'll buy them at, 
assuming that the latter would be their only copy. Radiohead themselves said 
that the online version was only intended as a preview; of course their 
records are very intricate-sounding.
All that said, it's not necessarily a bad thing to sell low-bitrate files: 
you'd just expect people to pay less for them.

>>>>> Next Week
>>>>> ---------
>>>>> Singles
>>>>> -------
>>>>>The least unlikely of the new releases to take over is probably 
>>>>>Britney,
>>>>>though she'll probably have to settle for top 10.
>>>>
>>>>A long way to climb from there
>>>
>>> <Cough>Sugababes<cough>
>>
>>Doesn't count.
>
> Look in the record books... :)

Show me a record book out now that it's in, and I might.

>>>> Top 20 : Bodyrox ft Luciana,
>>>>
>>>>I hadn't heard it until tonight though.
>>>
>>> Luciana is more of a chav even than Britney. :)
>>
>>At least when it suits.
>
> Which - the former or the latter?

The former. I don't think Britney has any choice in the matter at the 
moment.

>>>>> Top 30 : Girls Aloud (ST),
>>>>
>>>>Again, though, it's not moved much during this week
>>>
>>> A 45 place climb from #96 is 'not much of a move'??
>>
>>That didn't happen during the week though - Mutya was 96 in the first set 
>>of
>>mids.
>
> But it's only the Sunday position that *really* counts...

And...?

>>>>> Top 40 : Electrovamp
>>>>
>>>>Isn't this meant to be out already?
>>>
>>> You're not the first person to ask that, but apparently their website 
>>> says
>>> otherwise.
>>
>>Does it say why anybody could possibly want to buy it?
>>
> I've heard worse.

I've heard *worse*, but people might have higher standards than that.

>>>>> Any other possibilities?
>>
>>logic suggests that if
>>Kanye got as high as 41 the odds are on him making it to the Top 40.
>
> Unfortunately, but his last one did bomb, so...

It was in the Top 40 several weeks ahead of physical release though.

    Chris

On Tue, 8 Jan 2008 at 20:49:19, Chris Brown  
wrote in uk.music.charts :
>
>>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>>> --------------------
>>>>>> Top 20 :  Basshunter #14,
>>>>>
>>>> I guess this was an *official* download release, since it didn't reach
>>>> the
>>>> top 100 on downloads in December.
>>>
>>>But presumably charted somewhere lower?
>>
>> Yes, #170 on 8/12, climbing to #119 the next week. Presumably it then
>> either got withdrawn, or snowed under by the sheer volume of Xmas singles.
>
>The latter seems slightly more plausible under the circumstances. But it
>certainly was re-released as a download last week - that may just have been
>the full package of mixes.

Who actually downloads mixes individually? If they're on a dance CD, 
you're basically stuck with them, but it's hard to imagine people 
downloading them all separately at 72p a time, when they've only heard 
the radio version!
>
>>>>>> Britney #19,
>>>
>>>Although this track being essentially her personal problems with a price
>>>sticker on them would make it slightly mixed news in any case.
>>
>> Except that this is a first-hand report, rather than a tabloid distortion
>> of them... :)
>
>Not that first-hand - she didn't write it herself.

See was happy to record it though - that's what I meant.
>
>>>>>>Mika #20
>>>>
>>>> It's a double-A with 'Lollipop', of course.
>>>
>>>Officially, although if anybody downloaded 'Lollipop' that will have
>>>charted
>>>seperately.
>>
>> It has, at #77 this week.
>
>There we are then.
>Anything else exciting below 75?

Forget the 'else'. :)

I only know a few positions below #75 as yet.
>>>
>>>Well, yes, but maybe she needed some cash in hand for some reason... ;-)
>>
>> To pay for her husband's lawyer? :)
>
>Or a big armful of drugs.

Or nose-full? :)
>
>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>Radiohead
>>>>>
>>>>>this is the album that for a couple of months you could download a
>>>>>low-quality MP3 of for any price you liked
>>>>
>>>> What bit-rate was it, then?
>>>
>>>160 Kbps. Although they didn't announce this until some people had already
>>>paid.
>>
>> What's the problem - all the songs on my MP3 player are at just 80Kbps,
>> and they don't sound significantly worse than the original CD.
>
>Not necessarily on the MP3 player, but play them out on a stereo

But why would I do that, when I have the original CD's if I wanted 
quality...

> and it can
>be more obvious.

Can't say I've ever tried.
>
>>>>>> Next Week
>>>>>> ---------
>>>>>> Singles
>>>>>> -------
>
>>>>> Top 20 : Bodyrox ft Luciana,
>>>>>
>>>>>I hadn't heard it until tonight though.
>>>>
>>>> Luciana is more of a chav even than Britney. :)
>>>
>>>At least when it suits.
>>
>> Which - the former or the latter?
>
>The former. I don't think Britney has any choice in the matter at the
>moment.

She can't get out of the strait jacket? :)
>>
>> But it's only the Sunday position that *really* counts.
>
>And...?

That was pretty much my whole point.
>
>>>>>> Any other possibilities?
>>>
>>>logic suggests that if
>>>Kanye got as high as 41 the odds are on him making it to the Top 40.
>>
>> Unfortunately, but his last one did bomb, so...
>
>It was in the Top 40 several weeks ahead of physical release though.

It's out on CD next week. It hasn't had his usual level of TV airplay 
though, thankfully.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:Fv1NgyADPHhHFw95@blueyonder.co.uk...
> On Tue, 8 Jan 2008 at 20:49:19, Chris Brown  
> wrote in uk.music.charts :
>>
>>>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>>>> --------------------
>>>>>>> Top 20 :  Basshunter #14,
>>>>>>
>>>>> I guess this was an *official* download release, since it didn't reach
>>>>> the
>>>>> top 100 on downloads in December.
>>>>
>>>>But presumably charted somewhere lower?
>>>
>>> Yes, #170 on 8/12, climbing to #119 the next week. Presumably it then
>>> either got withdrawn, or snowed under by the sheer volume of Xmas 
>>> singles.
>>
>>The latter seems slightly more plausible under the circumstances. But it
>>certainly was re-released as a download last week - that may just have 
>>been
>>the full package of mixes.
>
> Who actually downloads mixes individually? If they're on a dance CD, 
> you're basically stuck with them, but it's hard to imagine people 
> downloading them all separately at 72p a time, when they've only heard the 
> radio version!

Well, the radio version is itself a mix - for all I know people were 
downloading the Swedish version last year. And in dance, you can't 
necessarily take as read that people have only heard the radio cut - part of 
the reason they do all these mixes is in the hope that they'll be played in 
clubs etc.

>>>>>>> Britney #19,
>>>>
>>>>Although this track being essentially her personal problems with a price
>>>>sticker on them would make it slightly mixed news in any case.
>>>
>>> Except that this is a first-hand report, rather than a tabloid 
>>> distortion
>>> of them... :)
>>
>>Not that first-hand - she didn't write it herself.
>
> See was happy to record it though - that's what I meant.

Like she knows what's going on!

>>>>>>>Mika #20
>>>>>
>>>>> It's a double-A with 'Lollipop', of course.
>>>>
>>>>Officially, although if anybody downloaded 'Lollipop' that will have
>>>>charted
>>>>seperately.
>>>
>>> It has, at #77 this week.
>>
>>There we are then.
>>Anything else exciting below 75?
>
> Forget the 'else'. :)

Factually exciting, I mean, not musically.

>>>>Well, yes, but maybe she needed some cash in hand for some reason... ;-)
>>>
>>> To pay for her husband's lawyer? :)
>>
>>Or a big armful of drugs.
>
> Or nose-full? :)

Depends which drugs they are.

>>>>>>> Albums
>>>>>>> ------
>>>>>>>Radiohead
>>>>>>
>>>>>>this is the album that for a couple of months you could download a
>>>>>>low-quality MP3 of for any price you liked
>>>>>
>>>>> What bit-rate was it, then?
>>>>
>>>>160 Kbps. Although they didn't announce this until some people had 
>>>>already
>>>>paid.
>>>
>>> What's the problem - all the songs on my MP3 player are at just 80Kbps,
>>> and they don't sound significantly worse than the original CD.
>>
>>Not necessarily on the MP3 player, but play them out on a stereo
>
> But why would I do that, when I have the original CD's if I wanted 
> quality...

Right, but we were talking about that Radiohead download, which people 
wouldn't have CDs of at that time.

>> and it can
>>be more obvious.
>
> Can't say I've ever tried.

But you'd have to if it were your only copy.

>>>>>>> Next Week
>>>>>>> ---------
>>>>>>> Singles
>>>>>>> -------
>>>
>>> But it's only the Sunday position that *really* counts.
>>
>>And...?
>
> That was pretty much my whole point.

But completely unrelated to mine, which was that GA's Sunday position was 
almost the same as their Wednesday one.

>>>>>>> Any other possibilities?
>>>>
>>>>logic suggests that if
>>>>Kanye got as high as 41 the odds are on him making it to the Top 40.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, but his last one did bomb, so...
>>
>>It was in the Top 40 several weeks ahead of physical release though.
>
> It's out on CD next week.

HMV are saying the 28th, which seems more likely to me.

>It hasn't had his usual level of TV airplay though, thankfully.

*Is* there a video?
Anyway, it only needed to climb one place.

    Chris

On Wed, 9 Jan 2008 at 19:44:38, Chris Brown  
wrote in uk.music.charts :
>>>
>>>>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>>>>> --------------------
>>>>>>>>Basshunter

>>>it
>>>certainly was re-released as a download last week - that may just have
>>>been
>>>the full package of mixes.
>>
>> Who actually downloads mixes individually? If they're on a dance CD,
>> you're basically stuck with them, but it's hard to imagine people
>> downloading them all separately at 72p a time, when they've only heard the
>> radio version!
>
>Well, the radio version is itself a mix - for all I know people were
>downloading the Swedish version last year. And in dance, you can't
>necessarily take as read that people have only heard the radio cut - part of
>the reason they do all these mixes is in the hope that they'll be played in
>clubs etc.

But it seems likely that dozens of times more people will know such a 
song *only* by the radio cut, rather than a remix.
>
>>>>>>>> Britney #19,
>>
>> See was happy to record it though - that's what I meant.
>
>Like she knows what's going on!

You may have a point. :)
>
>
>>>>>>>> Any other possibilities?
>>>>>
>>>>>logic suggests that if
>>>>>Kanye got as high as 41 the odds are on him making it to the Top 40.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately, but his last one did bomb, so...
>>>
>>>It was in the Top 40 several weeks ahead of physical release though.
>>
>> It's out on CD next week.
>
>HMV are saying the 28th, which seems more likely to me.

If I can choose, I'll stick with the 14th, since that'll mean there's 
minimal scope for further climbs. :)
>
>>It hasn't had his usual level of TV airplay though, thankfully.
>
>*Is* there a video?

There surely must be - but I avoid rap tracks like the plague, so I 
couldn't tell which rapper it was in the 1 second it takes to change 
channel... :)
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message 
news:a0I629A3TchHFwOZ@blueyonder.co.uk...
> On Wed, 9 Jan 2008 at 19:44:38, Chris Brown  
> wrote in uk.music.charts :
>>>>
>>>>>>>>> New Entries/Climbers
>>>>>>>>> --------------------
>>>>>>>>>Basshunter
>
>>>>it
>>>>certainly was re-released as a download last week - that may just have
>>>>been
>>>>the full package of mixes.
>>>
>>> Who actually downloads mixes individually? If they're on a dance CD,
>>> you're basically stuck with them, but it's hard to imagine people
>>> downloading them all separately at 72p a time, when they've only heard 
>>> the
>>> radio version!
>>
>>Well, the radio version is itself a mix - for all I know people were
>>downloading the Swedish version last year. And in dance, you can't
>>necessarily take as read that people have only heard the radio cut - part 
>>of
>>the reason they do all these mixes is in the hope that they'll be played 
>>in
>>clubs etc.
>
> But it seems likely that dozens of times more people will know such a song 
> *only* by the radio cut, rather than a remix.

Probably, but that doesn't mean there's no market at all for the mixes. 
Actually, in this particular case it's not been a big radio hit at all so 
maybe more people do know the other versions...

>>>>>>>>> Britney #19,
>>>
>>> See was happy to record it though - that's what I meant.
>>
>>Like she knows what's going on!
>
> You may have a point. :)

By the sounds of it, there was a lot of editing on that vocal, so she might 
not even know what order the words are in.

>>>>>>>>> Any other possibilities?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>logic suggests that if
>>>>>>Kanye got as high as 41 the odds are on him making it to the Top 40.
>>>>>
>>>>> Unfortunately, but his last one did bomb, so...
>>>>
>>>>It was in the Top 40 several weeks ahead of physical release though.
>>>
>>> It's out on CD next week.
>>
>>HMV are saying the 28th, which seems more likely to me.
>
> If I can choose, I'll stick with the 14th, since that'll mean there's 
> minimal scope for further climbs. :)

Bad luck - I checked again at lunchtime and they now say 4th February.

>>>It hasn't had his usual level of TV airplay though, thankfully.
>>
>>*Is* there a video?
>
> There surely must be - but I avoid rap tracks like the plague, so I 
> couldn't tell which rapper it was in the 1 second it takes to change 
> channel... :)

It may not be ready yet, possibly.

    Chris

On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 at 20:55:22, Chris Brown  
wrote in uk.music.charts :

>>>>>>>>>> Any other possibilities?

>>>>>>>Kanye
>>>>
>>>> It's out on CD next week.
>>>
>>>HMV are saying the 28th, which seems more likely to me.
>>
>> If I can choose, I'll stick with the 14th, since that'll mean there's
>> minimal scope for further climbs. :)
>
>Bad luck - I checked again at lunchtime and they now say 4th February.

I just checked, and he's on the same record company as Rihanna - so it's 
no great surprise that they look like delaying the physical release too 
long. I wonder how long before they learn from their mistakes?

'Good Life' first hit the top 40 five weeks before physical release, and 
had even slipped out of the 40 before the CD rejuvenated it. Similarly, 
'Shut Up & Drive' charted 5 weeks before the CD was out, and had also 
started to slip by the physical release date. For 'Don't Stop The 
Music', the gap will be even longer than 5 weeks if they don't hurry up.
>>
>> There surely must be - but I avoid rap tracks like the plague, so I
>> couldn't tell which rapper it was in the 1 second it takes to change
>> channel... :)
>
>It may not be ready yet, possibly.

That's conceivable, given Def Jam's apparent inflexibility over release 
dates.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:GZKtdxA$MxhHFw$N@blueyonder.co.uk...
> On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 at 20:55:22, Chris Brown 
> wrote in uk.music.charts :
>
>>>>>>>>>>> Any other possibilities?
>
>>>>>>>>Kanye
>>>>>
>>>>> It's out on CD next week.
>>>>
>>>>HMV are saying the 28th, which seems more likely to me.
>>>
>>> If I can choose, I'll stick with the 14th, since that'll mean there's
>>> minimal scope for further climbs. :)
>>
>>Bad luck - I checked again at lunchtime and they now say 4th February.
>
> I just checked, and he's on the same record company as Rihanna - so it's
> no great surprise that they look like delaying the physical release too
> long. I wonder how long before they learn from their mistakes?

It is the biggest record company in the world, after all.

> 'Good Life' first hit the top 40 five weeks before physical release, and
> had even slipped out of the 40 before the CD rejuvenated it.

True although, especially relative to its airplay success, it wasn't that 
big a hit at any time.

> Similarly,
> 'Shut Up & Drive' charted 5 weeks before the CD was out, and had also
> started to slip by the physical release date. For 'Don't Stop The Music',
> the gap will be even longer than 5 weeks if they don't hurry up.

Course the other way of looking at it is that if this can go Top 10 anyway, 
the physical formats are a bit of an irrelevance really.

>>> There surely must be - but I avoid rap tracks like the plague, so I
>>> couldn't tell which rapper it was in the 1 second it takes to change
>>> channel... :)
>>
>>It may not be ready yet, possibly.
>
> That's conceivable, given Def Jam's apparent inflexibility over release
> dates.

Also I think the last single had a longer life in the US, so they may not 
have been in a rush.

    Chris

On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 at 20:46:54, Chris Brown  
wrote in uk.music.charts :
>>>
>>>Bad luck - I checked again at lunchtime and they now say 4th February.
>>
>> I just checked, and he's on the same record company as Rihanna - so it's
>> no great surprise that they look like delaying the physical release too
>> long. I wonder how long before they learn from their mistakes?
>
>It is the biggest record company in the world, after all.

Does that mean you think it'll take them a long time for the lesson to 
be taken on board?
>>
>> That's conceivable, given Def Jam's apparent inflexibility over release
>> dates.
>
>Also I think the last single had a longer life in the US, so they may not
>have been in a rush.

But thanks to their airplay element, their charts are still slower than 
ours. Ironically though, the download element has sped up their charts 
somewhat, just as it has slowed ours...

On the subject of (UK) radio airplay, ISTM that radio stations could 
counter the slowdown in the singles chart by reducing both the length of 
time they playlist big hits for, and the number of times a week they 
play them.
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)

"Paul Hyett"  wrote in message
news:beRasfCc6GiHFwUc@blueyonder.co.uk...
> On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 at 20:46:54, Chris Brown 
> wrote in uk.music.charts :
>>>>
>>>>Bad luck - I checked again at lunchtime and they now say 4th February.
>>>
>>> I just checked, and he's on the same record company as Rihanna - so it's
>>> no great surprise that they look like delaying the physical release too
>>> long. I wonder how long before they learn from their mistakes?
>>
>>It is the biggest record company in the world, after all.
>
> Does that mean you think it'll take them a long time for the lesson to be
> taken on board?

Yeah, that's part of it. Also, I don't know whether Def Jam as such operates 
in the UK or whether it's just the one Universal marketing department.

>>> That's conceivable, given Def Jam's apparent inflexibility over release
>>> dates.
>>
>>Also I think the last single had a longer life in the US, so they may not
>>have been in a rush.
>
> But thanks to their airplay element, their charts are still slower than
> ours.

That's true - although in this case I think there probably was more demand 
for it there than here, not least because T-Pain is more famous in the US.

>Ironically though, the download element has sped up their charts
> somewhat, just as it has slowed ours...

True, albeit for the wholly explicable reason that it's put sales back into 
theirs.

> On the subject of (UK) radio airplay, ISTM that radio stations could
> counter the slowdown in the singles chart by reducing both the length of
> time they playlist big hits for, and the number of times a week they play
> them.

Perhaps - although I can't believe that there are many stations still 
playlisting 'Chasing Cars' now - but that's at best only tangentially in 
their interest.

    Chris

On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 at 12:08:31, Chris Brown  
wrote in uk.music.charts :
>
>>Ironically though, the download element has sped up their charts
>> somewhat, just as it has slowed ours...
>
>True, albeit for the wholly explicable reason that it's put sales back into
>theirs.

Yes it had gotten pretty farcical, with #1 singles selling only a few 
thousand copies, in a country of 300 million people!
-- 
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)