Discussion:
Chart Commentary 29/1/05... WTF is happening?
(too old to reply)
Paul Hyett
2005-01-23 20:23:25 UTC
Permalink
Where to start?!

Singles
-------
Coming from well behind on mid-weeks (#4 in fact), Ciara claims the #1
spot.

No hat-trick for Elvis, as 'A Fool Such As I' enters at #2. He snares an
unwanted record though, as the song it replaced, 'One Night' suffers the
biggest ever fall from the top - #1 to #20, beating the previous record
of 1-12 by Harry Belafonte in early 1958. 'Jailhouse Rock' also dropped
out of the top 40 from #10, one of the biggest dropouts ever.

A colossal fall from #2 at well, as MSP beat their own 2 month old
record by dropping to #26.

Elsewhere on the new entry front, for only the 2nd time ever the entire
top 6 are new - the others being :

#3 Chemical Brothers, #4 Athlete, #5 Feeder, and #6, the drop-dead-
gorgeous Lucie Silvas! :)

One further NE in the top 10 : #9 Stonebridge.

Lower down, there are NE's for: Ian Brown #15, The Others #21, Soulwax
#27, Mercury Rev #28, Roots Manuva #33, Rachel McFarlane #36 & Mooney
Suzuki #38.

Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks, Green Day up 2 to #11,
and Jay-Z/Linkin Park up 3 to #14, equalling its highest position.

Finally, Eric Prydz spends his 19th (and surely last) week in the top
40, at #40.

Albums
------
Little change here - Killers still #1, and the rest of the top 5 remain
exactly the same. too.

There was some action lower down though - significant climbs for :
Damien Rice - up 16 to #8 (no idea why), Gwen Stefani - up 8 to #10, and
massive climbs for Lucie Silvas up 43 to #16, and especially Thirteen
Senses 'Invitation' - up 186 places to #14 (though technically it was a
re-issue).

Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
I expect next weeks #1 to be the Tsunami charity record 'Grief Never
Grows Old' by the One World Project.

The best of the new releases IMO are : Ashanti, Ashlee Simpson,
Commander Tom, Hanson & Lovefreekz - all of which should get a top 10
placing, along with the next Elvis re-release.

Lower down, I can see : Freefaller, Houston, Lemon Jelly, Mylo, Phixx &
X-Zibit.

At least the flood of opportunistic rock singles seems to be abating.

Albums
------
Given the weak overall sales, and on their past performance, the
Chemical Brothers might well enter at #1, and Mercury Rev, Rooster &
Erasure should be competing for high placings too. Hopefully Lucie can
climb into the top 10 as well.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
sofa-spud
2005-01-23 20:54:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Where to start?!
Singles
-------
Coming from well behind on mid-weeks (#4 in fact), Ciara claims the #1
spot.
No hat-trick for Elvis, as 'A Fool Such As I' enters at #2. He snares an
unwanted record though, as the song it replaced, 'One Night' suffers the
biggest ever fall from the top - #1 to #20, beating the previous record
of 1-12 by Harry Belafonte in early 1958. 'Jailhouse Rock' also dropped
out of the top 40 from #10, one of the biggest dropouts ever.
A colossal fall from #2 at well, as MSP beat their own 2 month old
record by dropping to #26.
Elsewhere on the new entry front, for only the 2nd time ever the entire
#3 Chemical Brothers, #4 Athlete, #5 Feeder, and #6, the drop-dead-
gorgeous Lucie Silvas! :)
One further NE in the top 10 : #9 Stonebridge.
Lower down, there are NE's for: Ian Brown #15, The Others #21, Soulwax
#27, Mercury Rev #28, Roots Manuva #33, Rachel McFarlane #36 & Mooney
Suzuki #38.
Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks, Green Day up 2 to #11,
and Jay-Z/Linkin Park up 3 to #14, equalling its highest position.
Finally, Eric Prydz spends his 19th (and surely last) week in the top
40, at #40.
Albums
------
Little change here - Killers still #1, and the rest of the top 5 remain
exactly the same. too.
Damien Rice - up 16 to #8 (no idea why), Gwen Stefani - up 8 to #10, and
massive climbs for Lucie Silvas up 43 to #16, and especially Thirteen
Senses 'Invitation' - up 186 places to #14 (though technically it was a
re-issue).
Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
I expect next weeks #1 to be the Tsunami charity record 'Grief Never
Grows Old' by the One World Project.
The best of the new releases IMO are : Ashanti, Ashlee Simpson,
Commander Tom, Hanson & Lovefreekz - all of which should get a top 10
placing, along with the next Elvis re-release.
Lower down, I can see : Freefaller, Houston, Lemon Jelly, Mylo, Phixx &
X-Zibit.
At least the flood of opportunistic rock singles seems to be abating.
Albums
------
Given the weak overall sales, and on their past performance, the
Chemical Brothers might well enter at #1, and Mercury Rev, Rooster &
Erasure should be competing for high placings too. Hopefully Lucie can
climb into the top 10 as well.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
What's all this with Elvis then??
Moley
2005-01-23 21:40:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by sofa-spud
What's all this with Elvis then??
They're just priming us for the revelation that he really IS still alive
(but not working down the chip shop as some might think)
--
____________________________
Moley
Simon Tyers
2005-01-23 22:00:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Where to start?!
Singles
-------
Coming from well behind on mid-weeks (#4 in fact), Ciara claims the #1
spot.
Something we thought might happen this time last week, but that's a proper
surprise for once. Radio 1 are playing it into the ground at the moment and
she's been doing TV promotion, meaning people could well be putting a name
to the song.

And I still don't know what differentiates crunk from normal R&B.
Post by Paul Hyett
No hat-trick for Elvis, as 'A Fool Such As I' enters at #2.
The problem these Elvis number one attempts have, I've thought, is already
that we know how many singles someone will need to sell to topple this
week's Elvis release - I don't know about bigger city stores, but my local
HMV and Virgin had signs up apologising for having had all their stock of
this pre-ordered on Monday (although how do they then sell extra copies the
following week to ensure it remains in the charts? Are BMG keeping a few
thousand back?), so the level will always be around 21,000, which certainly
in the middle of the year a number one would beat comfortably.

He snares an
Post by Paul Hyett
unwanted record though, as the song it replaced, 'One Night' suffers the
biggest ever fall from the top - #1 to #20, beating the previous record
of 1-12 by Harry Belafonte in early 1958.
Who'd have thought that would have lasted this long? This one had proper
number one backing too, insomuch that TOTP got a soundalike in from
Jailhouse Rock - The Musical.
Post by Paul Hyett
Elsewhere on the new entry front, for only the 2nd time ever the entire
#3 Chemical Brothers
Hardly their most immediately obvious
Post by Paul Hyett
#4 Athlete, #5 Feeder
Big stadium-sized rock's not dead yet, then. Athlete have the most to gain
from this, of course, as they're now as big as promotions people seem to
think they already are, yet like Snow Patrol before them they've done it by
adopting a very Coldplay dynamic.
Post by Paul Hyett
, and #6, the drop-dead-
gorgeous Lucie Silvas! :)
Knew you'd like that. And yes, I was wrong last week, people clearly do care
about her songs as much as her photos. I'd forgotten that Radio 2 had been
following her development as part of their Great British Music Debate, but
from a purely musical point of view you wouldn't have imagined there'd be
that much of a market for female singer-songwriters with Delta Goodrem just
back.
Post by Paul Hyett
Lower down, there are NE's for: Ian Brown #15
He does odd things singles-wise, in that they have almost an equal chance of
entering in the thirties or skim the top ten, most famously Dolphins Were
Monkeys, a post-album single with no Radio 1 daytime airplay, landing at #3.
Post by Paul Hyett
The Others #21
Just enough of the Libertines constituency hanging around, then. They're not
going to be as big as the NME and South London thinks they are, of course,
because as much as they give good quote, they make unremarkable records
aimed at people who already have stuff of this type in spades.
Post by Paul Hyett
Mercury Rev #28
Still kicking themselves that it was the Flaming Lips who became the big
international cult band after they opened the way for them in a way with
Deserter's Songs in 1998, I imagine.
Post by Paul Hyett
Roots Manuva #33
Yet another dawning for UK rap, then. Where is Blade nowadays?
Post by Paul Hyett
Rachel McFarlane #36
Nominated for a Brit with LMC, which probably got more publicity with the
nominations cock-up than this release did.
Post by Paul Hyett
& Mooney
Suzuki #38.
As I said last week, this was tipped for big things, then the release got
moved back three months.
Post by Paul Hyett
Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks
This can't just be the ringtone advert's ubiquity, can it? Hey Ya did
something similar to this at this time last year, but I don't see this as
being a dancefloor/party stable for ages.
Post by Paul Hyett
Green Day up 2 to #11,
They did this on TOTP, didn't they, as opposed to their forthcoming new
single?

All the Elvis reissues that were in the midweeks have disappeared. Strange.
Post by Paul Hyett
Damien Rice - up 16 to #8 (no idea why)
I was going to bring this up - The Blower's Daughter is on the Closer
trailer, but it can't just be that. I haven't seen adverts for it either,
unlike Gwen Stefani's.

Ashlee Simpson is back in at 33, presumably on repromotion, and Ray Charles
appears at 40 and 57 (the latter the OST, oddly) off the back of the film.
There's also a debut at 73 for KT Tunstall, much touted as this year's Dido.
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
I expect next weeks #1 to be the Tsunami charity record 'Grief Never
Grows Old' by the One World Project.
I wonder, though. It had a lot of publicity when announced, but I've not so
much as heard any more about it - in fact, I only found out it was being
released tomorrow earlier today. You'd have thought a couple of people
involved would at least have showed up at the Millennium Stadium yesterday.
Post by Paul Hyett
The best of the new releases IMO are : Ashanti, Ashlee Simpson,
Commander Tom, Hanson & Lovefreekz - all of which should get a top 10
placing, along with the next Elvis re-release.
It's another tricky week to precisely predict, and it could be a renewal of
the Elvis run, as it's a strong one, It's Now Or Never. Hanson have had this
very risky IMHO campaign where they're expecting the pop-buying kids to know
about Mmm Bop, as this one isn't hugely outstanding. Lovefreekz could end up
outselling them all. What vocal does that Commander Tom record sample? It's
something recent, but I can't place it.
Post by Paul Hyett
Lower down, I can see : Freefaller, Houston, Lemon Jelly, Mylo, Phixx &
X-Zibit.
There's a couple of top 10 potentials here too, with Freefaller getting the
teen magazine press and Mylo the radio ubiquity (there's already a pisstake
doing the rounds). Good Charlotte (if that's still out this week) and
possibly Biffy Clyro aside there's not a lot else in serious contention.
Post by Paul Hyett
At least the flood of opportunistic rock singles seems to be abating.
I don't think it's so much 'opportunistic' as record company tradition,
aiming their up and coming stars, especially guitar bands, for big hits in
the first couple of months of a year. January and February 2004 saw top 40
debuts by the Scissor Sisters, Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Razorlight and Snow
Patrol, with the Killers not long afterwards, and that's by no means unusual
tactics. This year we've still got singles with a lot riding on them from
Bloc Party, the Futureheads, Willy Mason and the Kaiser Chiefs to come, plus
Akon, The Game, Annie, Tyler James and, I suppose, Lindsay Lohan.
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
------
Given the weak overall sales, and on their past performance, the
Chemical Brothers might well enter at #1
After the single's success it's got to be odds on, and it's been getting
decent reviews. Come With Us was #1, and people were less keen on them then.
Post by Paul Hyett
and Mercury Rev, Rooster &
Erasure should be competing for high placings too.
Rooster's marketing is an odd one, as they've now got to be relying on
selling the idea of a band who sound a bit like Aerosmith but are aimed at
the Busted market to album buyers, although the success of A Present For
Everyone and Room On The Third Floor bodes well for them. I wouldn't rule
out a surprise top 40 place for LCD Soundsystem either. What's going to be
the album that bafflingly climbs 20 places into the top 10, though?
Chris Brown
2005-01-23 23:44:03 UTC
Permalink
"Simon Tyers" >
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Singles
What vocal does that Commander Tom record sample? It's
something recent, but I can't place it.
According to HMV, it's 'Superstar' by Novy vs. Eniac.

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-24 06:53:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Singles
-------
Coming from well behind on mid-weeks (#4 in fact), Ciara claims the #1
spot.
Something we thought might happen this time last week, but that's a proper
surprise for once. Radio 1 are playing it into the ground at the moment and
she's been doing TV promotion, meaning people could well be putting a name
to the song.
I've noticed that R&B & rap singles have a tendency to climb from their
midweek positions, so this shouldn't have been *too* unexpected.
Post by Simon Tyers
And I still don't know what differentiates crunk from normal R&B.
I would have liked this single, if not for Petey Pablo's part.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
No hat-trick for Elvis, as 'A Fool Such As I' enters at #2.
The problem these Elvis number one attempts have, I've thought, is already
that we know how many singles someone will need to sell to topple this
week's Elvis release
Knowing that, and the competition actually achieving that, are two very
different things though.
Post by Simon Tyers
- I don't know about bigger city stores, but my local
HMV and Virgin had signs up apologising for having had all their stock of
this pre-ordered on Monday (although how do they then sell extra copies the
following week to ensure it remains in the charts?
Can't say I've noticed a shortage here - perhaps Cheltenham just lacks
Elvis fans?
Post by Simon Tyers
Who'd have thought that would have lasted this long? This one had proper
number one backing too, insomuch that TOTP got a soundalike in from
Jailhouse Rock - The Musical.
Does no footage exist of him singing it himself?
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
#3 Chemical Brothers
Hardly their most immediately obvious
I haven't heard many of their songs, but I like this least of the ones I
have.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
, and #6, the drop-dead-
gorgeous Lucie Silvas! :)
Knew you'd like that. And yes, I was wrong last week, people clearly do care
about her songs as much as her photos.
The album soared up the chart too, I would have bought it last week if I
hadn't already done so when it was first out.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Roots Manuva #33
Yet another dawning for UK rap, then. Where is Blade nowadays?
I thought he killed vampires, not rappers, though come to think of it...
:)
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Rachel McFarlane #36
Nominated for a Brit with LMC, which probably got more publicity with the
nominations cock-up than this release did.
I *thought* it was her.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks
This can't just be the ringtone advert's ubiquity, can it?
Nah - more to do with the strip-poker-playing babes, I'd say! :)
Post by Simon Tyers
All the Elvis reissues that were in the midweeks have disappeared. Strange.
RCA must have requested their exclusion.
Post by Simon Tyers
Ashlee Simpson is back in at 33, presumably on repromotion, and Ray Charles
appears at 40 and 57 (the latter the OST, oddly) off the back of the film.
There's also a debut at 73 for KT Tunstall, much touted as this year's Dido.
By whom - I haven't heard any such thing? I like the forthcoming single
though - and before anyone wonders, I have no idea what she looks like,
so that isn't a factor this time...
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
I expect next weeks #1 to be the Tsunami charity record 'Grief Never
Grows Old' by the One World Project.
I wonder, though. It had a lot of publicity when announced, but I've not so
much as heard any more about it - in fact, I only found out it was being
released tomorrow earlier today.
I think the Tsunami itself had more than enough publicity though...
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
The best of the new releases IMO are : Ashanti, Ashlee Simpson,
Commander Tom, Hanson & Lovefreekz - all of which should get a top 10
placing, along with the next Elvis re-release.
It's another tricky week to precisely predict, and it could be a renewal of
the Elvis run, as it's a strong one,
It's the one that sounds like an ice-cream commercial, isn't it?
Post by Simon Tyers
It's Now Or Never. Hanson have had this
very risky IMHO campaign where they're expecting the pop-buying kids to know
about Mmm Bop
You mean everyone in the country hasn't repressed that traumatic memory?
:)
Post by Simon Tyers
, as this one isn't hugely outstanding. Lovefreekz could end up
outselling them all.
You think? The song is OK, but I doubt the plain-ish woman roller-
skating badly on the video will do it any favours.
Post by Simon Tyers
What vocal does that Commander Tom record sample? It's
something recent, but I can't place it.
I like this one.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Lower down, I can see : Freefaller, Houston, Lemon Jelly, Mylo, Phixx &
X-Zibit.
There's a couple of top 10 potentials here too, with Freefaller getting the
teen magazine press
Clones of 'Noise Next Door' AFAICS.
Post by Simon Tyers
and Mylo the radio ubiquity (there's already a pisstake
doing the rounds). Good Charlotte (if that's still out this week)
Not 'til next week.
Post by Simon Tyers
and
possibly Biffy Clyro aside there's not a lot else in serious contention.
Haven't heard BC's song, so can't tell how it'll do.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
------
Given the weak overall sales, and on their past performance, the
Chemical Brothers might well enter at #1
After the single's success it's got to be odds on, and it's been getting
decent reviews. Come With Us was #1, and people were less keen on them then.
If only they'd released a decent single for the first one...
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
and Mercury Rev, Rooster &
Erasure should be competing for high placings too.
Rooster's marketing is an odd one, as they've now got to be relying on
selling the idea of a band who sound a bit like Aerosmith but are aimed at
the Busted market
I've disputed this all along - IMO they are a genuine rock band, and
they sounded like it on the R1 chart show yesterday.
Post by Simon Tyers
I wouldn't rule
out a surprise top 40 place for LCD Soundsystem either. What's going to be
the album that bafflingly climbs 20 places into the top 10, though?
Ashanti? Even perhaps Ashlee? :)

I think Lucie has a very good chance of going top 10 next Sunday - I'm
hoping she'll be this year's Katie Melua (whose album is incidentally
still selling steadily, #22 this week).
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Simon Tyers
2005-01-24 21:51:42 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
The problem these Elvis number one attempts have, I've thought, is already
that we know how many singles someone will need to sell to topple this
week's Elvis release
Knowing that, and the competition actually achieving that, are two very
different things though.
True, but we might see a few big hitters crowding up against the bigger
releases towards the end of the campaign.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Who'd have thought that would have lasted this long? This one had proper
number one backing too, insomuch that TOTP got a soundalike in from
Jailhouse Rock - The Musical.
Does no footage exist of him singing it himself?
Elvis' estate aren't allowing the BBC to show any video footage of him,
although this doesn't seem to have stopped them allowing Sky to use some in
adverts.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
All the Elvis reissues that were in the midweeks have disappeared. Strange.
RCA must have requested their exclusion.
Can they do that? Presumably now they can pinpoint whoever put them on sale
early and withdraw their stock, but that might well have an effect on
releases to come.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
There's also a debut at 73 for KT Tunstall, much touted as this year's Dido.
By whom - I haven't heard any such thing? I like the forthcoming single
though - and before anyone wonders, I have no idea what she looks like,
so that isn't a factor this time...
Heh! The broadsheets have been touting her, mostly, although the single
doesn't exactly suggest Valentine's Day compilation albums (although Radio 2
have been playing more MOR inclined album tracks) and she's actually an
offshoot of the Fife music scene that spawned the Beta Band and Dogs Die In
Hot Cars. The first person to get attention off the back of a Later With
Jools appearance for a while, too.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
I expect next weeks #1 to be the Tsunami charity record 'Grief Never
Grows Old' by the One World Project.
I wonder, though. It had a lot of publicity when announced, but I've not so
much as heard any more about it - in fact, I only found out it was being
released tomorrow earlier today.
I think the Tsunami itself had more than enough publicity though...
You know what I mean. Actually, it is a big story on the BBC website
entertainment section, so I could be wrong, but Radio 2 have only C
playlisted it this week, so it could pass a lot of charitable record buyers
by.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
It's another tricky week to precisely predict, and it could be a renewal of
the Elvis run, as it's a strong one,
It's the one that sounds like an ice-cream commercial, isn't it?
The tune's derived from O Sole Mio, indeed.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
, as this one isn't hugely outstanding. Lovefreekz could end up
outselling them all.
You think? The song is OK, but I doubt the plain-ish woman roller-
skating badly on the video will do it any favours.
Mmm, this is where you need your scantily clad dancers and ringtone tie-in,
but then Lola's Theme hardly had a sexy video.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
There's a couple of top 10 potentials here too, with Freefaller getting the
teen magazine press
Clones of 'Noise Next Door' AFAICS.
In that they're both trying to stretch the Busted template as far as it will
go. When's their single out?
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
possibly Biffy Clyro aside there's not a lot else in serious contention.
Haven't heard BC's song, so can't tell how it'll do.
It's the best single they've released IMHO, not that that means much.
They've got an audience, in any case, and Charlie out of Busted is a big
fan, for all that means now.
Paul Hyett
2005-01-25 06:15:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Knowing that, and the competition actually achieving that, are two very
different things though.
True, but we might see a few big hitters crowding up against the bigger
releases towards the end of the campaign.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him #1 on midweeks again, but I saw no
copies whatsoever on the shelves yesterday, which suggests pre-orders
snapped them all up. Given that, then sales will collapse by the end of
the week, allowing someone else to sneak through as we saw with Ciara on
Sunday.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Who'd have thought that would have lasted this long? This one had proper
number one backing too, insomuch that TOTP got a soundalike in from
Jailhouse Rock - The Musical.
Does no footage exist of him singing it himself?
Elvis' estate aren't allowing the BBC to show any video footage of him
WTF not? The BBC should have said 'no footage, no publicity'
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
All the Elvis reissues that were in the midweeks have disappeared.
Strange.
Post by Paul Hyett
RCA must have requested their exclusion.
Can they do that?
Yes. There's a clause in the chart rules that record companies can ask
for chart entries caused by sales leaks to be excluded.
Post by Simon Tyers
Presumably now they can pinpoint whoever put them on sale
early and withdraw their stock, but that might well have an effect on
releases to come.
I suspect there's some confidentiality clause between the OCC & shops.
After all, if the sales leaks came from say, Virgin or HMV, the record
companies can hardly afford to piss *them* off!
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
There's also a debut at 73 for KT Tunstall
The broadsheets have been touting her, mostly, although the single
doesn't exactly suggest Valentine's Day compilation albums (although Radio 2
have been playing more MOR inclined album tracks) and she's actually an
offshoot of the Fife music scene that spawned the Beta Band and Dogs Die In
Hot Cars. The first person to get attention off the back of a Later With
Jools appearance for a while, too.
BTW, who's this <somebody> McDonald woman who has an album out this
week?
Post by Simon Tyers
You know what I mean. Actually, it is a big story on the BBC website
entertainment section, so I could be wrong, but Radio 2 have only C
playlisted it this week
Well, the 'wrinkly rockers' on it, are definitely only R2 material. :)
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
It's another tricky week to precisely predict, and it could be a renewal
of
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
the Elvis run, as it's a strong one,
Strong or weak is irrelevant where limited editions are concerned.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
There's a couple of top 10 potentials here too, with Freefaller getting
the
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
teen magazine press
Clones of 'Noise Next Door' AFAICS.
In that they're both trying to stretch the Busted template as far as it will
go. When's their single out?
Yesterday. Apparently they've been doing the school rounds to drum up
publicity - my nieces were talking about them.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-26 19:41:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Who'd have thought that would have lasted this long? This one had proper
number one backing too, insomuch that TOTP got a soundalike in from
Jailhouse Rock - The Musical.
Does no footage exist of him singing it himself?
Elvis' estate aren't allowing the BBC to show any video footage of him
WTF not? The BBC should have said 'no footage, no publicity'
I suppose since every other Number One since the programme's inception has
been represented, they couldn't stop now without causing a scene.
AIUI, it wasn't the Presley estate's idea to re-release the singles: BMG can
repackage previously released material as much as they like, but the estate
still control all the film footage of him.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
All the Elvis reissues that were in the midweeks have disappeared.
Strange.
Post by Paul Hyett
RCA must have requested their exclusion.
Can they do that?
Yes. There's a clause in the chart rules that record companies can ask
for chart entries caused by sales leaks to be excluded.
And also imports or deleted singles.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Presumably now they can pinpoint whoever put them on sale
early and withdraw their stock, but that might well have an effect on
releases to come.
I suspect there's some confidentiality clause between the OCC & shops.
After all, if the sales leaks came from say, Virgin or HMV, the record
companies can hardly afford to piss *them* off!
Isn't that a bit of a contradiction? If the record companies don't want to
argue with retailers then they wouldn't need a confidentiality clause.
Of course there was a very public spat between Virgin and the majors at the
turn of the century, but that wasn't chart-related, although it's believed
to have affected the charts in places.
In this particular case, though, it seems unlikely that the whole of HMV or
Virgin would have leaked the single; they wouldn't want to rock the boat
with the record companies either, and besides I think it would have put them
a lot higher. I suspect we're talking about a handful of shops, assuming
that they were leaks at all.
Post by Paul Hyett
BTW, who's this <somebody> McDonald woman who has an album out this
week?
Jane McDonald.
I wouldn't expect you to be familiar with her recordings to date (she's
never had a lot of radio attention, thankfully) but she actually came from
television. She was a singer on the ship featured in one of the first really
successful docu-soaps, The Cruise. As the first series ended with her
wedding, she came ashore to find a record deal and had a slightly surprising
Number One album in 1998, followed by a festive hit with 'Cruise Into
Christmas Medley'.
One reason you might feel grateful though: Joss Stone got her first break on
the short-lived talent show Jane McDonald's Star For A Night.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
You know what I mean. Actually, it is a big story on the BBC website
entertainment section, so I could be wrong, but Radio 2 have only C
playlisted it this week
Well, the 'wrinkly rockers' on it, are definitely only R2 material. :)
In the last six months, I've heard Steve Winwood's voice on R1 a lot more
than R2 ;-)
I do know what you mean, but I think the point is that R2 haven't put it any
higher than the C-list, and that only at the last minute. Compare and
contrast with Band Aid 20. Of course, though, it isn't radio that sells this
sort of single.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
It's another tricky week to precisely predict, and it could be a renewal
of
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
the Elvis run, as it's a strong one,
Strong or weak is irrelevant where limited editions are concerned.
Depends how close the margin is, surely? After all, just because there are
only a limited number of copies, that doesn't mean they're all going to
sell.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
There's a couple of top 10 potentials here too, with Freefaller getting
the
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
teen magazine press
Clones of 'Noise Next Door' AFAICS.
In that they're both trying to stretch the Busted template as far as it will
go. When's their single out?
Yesterday. Apparently they've been doing the school rounds to drum up
publicity - my nieces were talking about them.
I think the Noise Next Door single is out next week. It's called 'Calendar
Girl' but I presume it's not the Neil Sedake song.

Chris
Robin Carmody
2005-01-26 22:13:47 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Who'd have thought that would have lasted this long? This one had proper
number one backing too, insomuch that TOTP got a soundalike in from
Jailhouse Rock - The Musical.
Does no footage exist of him singing it himself?
Elvis' estate aren't allowing the BBC to show any video footage of him
WTF not? The BBC should have said 'no footage, no publicity'
I suppose since every other Number One since the programme's inception has
been represented, they couldn't stop now without causing a scene.
That didn't cause them any problem in October 1969 or January 1984, though!

To be fair, "Relax" had already been featured when it was at number 35,
before it was banned, and it was "un-banned" so they could feature it on the
Christmas 84 show. Maybe "Je T'Aime ... Moi Non Plus" is the only number
one since the start of 1964 never to be featured on TOTP at all? Although
they *did* feature an instrumental version without the moaning and
groaning - "Love At First Sight" by Sounds Nice - at the time, because this
"clean" version had also made the Top 20.

Of course when The Prodigy's "Firestarter" went to number one the band
refused to appear live, so TOTP had to show the controversial video - it
generated so many "complaints" that for the following two weeks it stayed at
number one, the track wasn't featured at all.

RC
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 06:30:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Robin Carmody
Of course when The Prodigy's "Firestarter" went to number one the band
refused to appear live
Why was that?
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Robin Carmody
2005-01-27 21:40:42 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Robin Carmody
Of course when The Prodigy's "Firestarter" went to number one the band
refused to appear live
Why was that?
They thought it would damage their credibility and "put their music in the
wrong context" (or similar) to do TOTP. It's a policy they have maintained
with all their Top 40 singles ever since 1991, but they admitted that their
refusal to do "Firestarter" on TOTP was partially because they knew that
they would then have to show the video, they knew that the video would
"offend" certain viewers, and they wanted to cause a "shock! horror!" scare
story. It certainly did their career every bit as much good as the Frankie
Goes To Hollywood episode did ...

RC
Paul Hyett
2005-01-28 06:48:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by Robin Carmody
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Robin Carmody
Of course when The Prodigy's "Firestarter" went to number one the band
refused to appear live
Why was that?
They thought it would damage their credibility and "put their music in the
wrong context" (or similar) to do TOTP. It's a policy they have maintained
with all their Top 40 singles ever since 1991, but they admitted that their
refusal to do "Firestarter" on TOTP was partially because they knew that
they would then have to show the video
I thought TOTP will just play a song in the background, with dancers on-
stage, if the artists didn't want to appear and/or the video is
unacceptable?
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-28 20:04:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
I thought TOTP will just play a song in the background, with dancers on-
stage, if the artists didn't want to appear and/or the video is
unacceptable?
Yes, in the 1970s. But once videos became popular this was no longer
considered necessary.
I daresay some TotP expert will be able to tell you what the last record was
to be portrayed this way. I can't but the last one I know of was
'Bankrobber' by the Clash.

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 06:29:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Elvis' estate aren't allowing the BBC to show any video footage of him
WTF not? The BBC should have said 'no footage, no publicity'
I suppose since every other Number One since the programme's inception has
been represented, they couldn't stop now without causing a scene.
AIUI, it wasn't the Presley estate's idea to re-release the singles: BMG
BMG? I thought it was RCA?
Post by Chris Brown
can
repackage previously released material as much as they like, but the estate
still control all the film footage of him.
If it's BMG's fault, why are they punishing the BBC then?
Post by Chris Brown
I suspect we're talking about a handful of shops, assuming
that they were leaks at all.
More than a handful, I'd have said. 'It's Now Or Never' was due to chart
on leaks at around #37 - that would have needed perhaps 1500 copies.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
BTW, who's this <somebody> McDonald woman who has an album out this
week?
Jane McDonald.
That's the one.
Post by Chris Brown
She was a singer on the ship featured in one of the first really
successful docu-soaps, The Cruise.
'Successful docu-soap' - isn't that an oxymoron? :)
Post by Chris Brown
One reason you might feel grateful though: Joss Stone got her first break on
the short-lived talent show Jane McDonald's Star For A Night.
I knew Joss appeared on a TV talent show, I just didn't know which. I'm
just surprised that footage hasn't turned up since to embarrass her.

Maybe it *has*, but I just haven't seen it?
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Simon Tyers
It's another tricky week to precisely predict, and it could be a renewal
of
Post by Simon Tyers
the Elvis run, as it's a strong one,
Strong or weak is irrelevant where limited editions are concerned.
Depends how close the margin is, surely? After all, just because there are
only a limited number of copies, that doesn't mean they're all going to
sell.
Sorry, I meant to say 'where *Elvis* limited-editions are concerned'.

Apparently the other releases are getting an extra 5000 copies, though
while this might give them a better chance at #1, they'll drop just as
fast, and as the post-new-year singles hangover fades, they'll be
increasing likely to miss out.

I can't see him outselling Eminem's 'Toy Soldiers' next week, for
example.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Simon Tyers
2005-01-27 16:59:53 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
I suppose since every other Number One since the programme's inception has
been represented, they couldn't stop now without causing a scene.
AIUI, it wasn't the Presley estate's idea to re-release the singles: BMG
BMG? I thought it was RCA?
I don't think RCA exist in that form any more - it's BMG handling these
releases.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
can
repackage previously released material as much as they like, but the estate
still control all the film footage of him.
If it's BMG's fault, why are they punishing the BBC then?
I'm not sure BMG get a say in it beyond the actual recordings.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
One reason you might feel grateful though: Joss Stone got her first break on
the short-lived talent show Jane McDonald's Star For A Night.
I knew Joss appeared on a TV talent show, I just didn't know which. I'm
just surprised that footage hasn't turned up since to embarrass her.
It has, it was on Before They Were Famous over Christmas.
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 18:30:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
BMG? I thought it was RCA?
I don't think RCA exist in that form any more - it's BMG handling these
releases.
ChartsPlus lists the record company as RCA.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
I knew Joss appeared on a TV talent show, I just didn't know which. I'm
just surprised that footage hasn't turned up since to embarrass her.
It has, it was on Before They Were Famous over Christmas.
Which number of BTWF?
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-27 18:09:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Elvis' estate aren't allowing the BBC to show any video footage of him
WTF not? The BBC should have said 'no footage, no publicity'
I suppose since every other Number One since the programme's inception has
been represented, they couldn't stop now without causing a scene.
AIUI, it wasn't the Presley estate's idea to re-release the singles: BMG
BMG? I thought it was RCA?
BMG (Bertelsmann Mediengruppe) is the parent company of RCA's record
division, and owns all its back catalogue - RCA electric products are now
part of General Electric, which is why the logo is now (according to the one
Elvis CD I own) the property of RCA Trademark Management SA.
In fact, BMG and Sony's music divisions merged late last year (except in
Japan), but I presume this series predates that.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
can
repackage previously released material as much as they like, but the estate
still control all the film footage of him.
If it's BMG's fault, why are they punishing the BBC then?
I haven't got an inside track here, but I don't think it's a matter of
punishing the BBC. I don't even think they object to the re-issues. They
might just have set preconditions that the Beeb can't accept, or something.

Any Elvis fans who know the details are welcome to correct me here.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
I suspect we're talking about a handful of shops, assuming
that they were leaks at all.
More than a handful, I'd have said. 'It's Now Or Never' was due to chart
on leaks at around #37 - that would have needed perhaps 1500 copies.
In relative terms, that's still a handful - imagine if 100 shops leaked 15
copies each.
As I said, though, I'm not 100% certain they were leaks, although nobody's
said anything either way.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
BTW, who's this <somebody> McDonald woman who has an album out this
week?
Jane McDonald.
That's the one.
Post by Chris Brown
She was a singer on the ship featured in one of the first really
successful docu-soaps, The Cruise.
'Successful docu-soap' - isn't that an oxymoron? :)
It wasn't then. That's why they insisted on giving us The Hotel, Airport
etc...
She seems like a nice enough lass, but she isn't actually very good.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
One reason you might feel grateful though: Joss Stone got her first break on
the short-lived talent show Jane McDonald's Star For A Night.
I knew Joss appeared on a TV talent show, I just didn't know which. I'm
just surprised that footage hasn't turned up since to embarrass her.
Maybe it *has*, but I just haven't seen it?
Unless they're saving it up for later, it might have done. I'm the last
person who'd know.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Simon Tyers
It's another tricky week to precisely predict, and it could be a renewal
of
Post by Simon Tyers
the Elvis run, as it's a strong one,
Strong or weak is irrelevant where limited editions are concerned.
Depends how close the margin is, surely? After all, just because there are
only a limited number of copies, that doesn't mean they're all going to
sell.
Sorry, I meant to say 'where *Elvis* limited-editions are concerned'.
Even so, though, it might affect the speed they sell at.
Remember 'That's All Right' was a limited edition too.

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 18:33:41 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
More than a handful, I'd have said. 'It's Now Or Never' was due to chart
on leaks at around #37 - that would have needed perhaps 1500 copies.
In relative terms, that's still a handful - imagine if 100 shops leaked 15
copies each.
As I said, though, I'm not 100% certain they were leaks, although nobody's
said anything either way.
Whatever they were, that's 1500 sales less on official release (let
alone any further leaked sales in the weeks to come), lessening even
further their chance of being #1.

OF course, it's possible that a few fans were only buying them in an
attempt to get them *all* to #1, and if so, they might well give up now.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Sorry, I meant to say 'where *Elvis* limited-editions are concerned'.
Even so, though, it might affect the speed they sell at.
Remember 'That's All Right' was a limited edition too.
But it's back in the chart now, so not all the copies could have been
sold.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-28 20:08:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
More than a handful, I'd have said. 'It's Now Or Never' was due to chart
on leaks at around #37 - that would have needed perhaps 1500 copies.
In relative terms, that's still a handful - imagine if 100 shops leaked 15
copies each.
As I said, though, I'm not 100% certain they were leaks, although nobody's
said anything either way.
Whatever they were, that's 1500 sales less on official release (let
alone any further leaked sales in the weeks to come), lessening even
further their chance of being #1.
Well yes, if they were genuine sales then by definition they were leaks.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Even so, though, it might affect the speed they sell at.
Remember 'That's All Right' was a limited edition too.
But it's back in the chart now, so not all the copies could have been
sold.
Yes, that's exactly the point I was making.

Chris
JNugent
2005-02-01 00:12:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Elvis' estate aren't allowing the BBC to show any video footage of him
WTF not? The BBC should have said 'no footage, no publicity'
I suppose since every other Number One since the programme's
inception has been represented, they couldn't stop now without
causing a scene. AIUI, it wasn't the Presley estate's idea to re-
release the singles: BMG
BMG? I thought it was RCA?
Bertelsmann Music Group are the owners of the RCA back-catalogue.

I don't know whether the RCA label still continues to release newly-recorded
maerial (I suspect not - a bit like Pye - now owned by Castle Communications
and only ever releasing reissues).
Simon Tyers
2005-01-26 21:52:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Does no footage exist of him singing it himself?
Elvis' estate aren't allowing the BBC to show any video footage of him
WTF not? The BBC should have said 'no footage, no publicity'
But you can't exactly gloss over the number one, especially such a high
profile one, plus it makes for neat publicity. CD:UK just run a still, but
that's less chart orientated.
Post by Paul Hyett
BTW, who's this <somebody> McDonald woman who has an album out this
week?
Pass.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
It's another tricky week to precisely predict, and it could be a renewal
of
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
the Elvis run, as it's a strong one,
Strong or weak is irrelevant where limited editions are concerned.
But it affects casual purchasers, so maybe it'll have a stronger hand if it
really isn't selling out everywhere in the country, as well as selling more
(20K already) for the midweeks.
Chris Brown
2005-01-25 23:10:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Where to start?!
Singles
-------
And I still don't know what differentiates crunk from normal R&B.
Lil' Jon, by the looks of things.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
No hat-trick for Elvis, as 'A Fool Such As I' enters at #2.
The problem these Elvis number one attempts have, I've thought, is already
that we know how many singles someone will need to sell to topple this
week's Elvis release - I don't know about bigger city stores, but my local
HMV and Virgin had signs up apologising for having had all their stock of
this pre-ordered on Monday
I can tell you that my local MVC has a sign up to that effect, referring to
the entire series. The only other singles retailers in Harrow are Woolworths
(where I've neer seen any) and HMV, who I'm told are also out - I saw a
couple of (unnumbered) copies of 'One Night' in there last Monday, but they
were all gone by the time I was next in there.
OTOH, as previously noted, I was in Virgin at High Street Kensington on
Saturday, and there were lots of copies of 'A Fool Such As I' in there.
Post by Simon Tyers
(although how do they then sell extra copies
the following week to ensure it remains in the charts? Are BMG keeping a
few thousand back?),
You have to wonder, don't you? Especially since there seem to be a load of
copies of 'That's All Right' in the shops again suddenly.
Mind you, I've also seen the limited editions of the last two Mercury Rev
albums reappearing, so may it's the retailers keeping them back.
Post by Simon Tyers
so the level will always be around 21,000, which
certainly
in the middle of the year a number one would beat comfortably.
There's another factor that might affect things too: obviously part of the
appeal is that people who've started buying them won't want to stop halfway
through the series. However, my colleague is talking about giving up because
he never got 'One Night', and once there's a gap that whole incentive
doesn't really work.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
#4 Athlete, #5 Feeder
Big stadium-sized rock's not dead yet, then. Athlete have the most to gain
from this, of course, as they're now as big as promotions people seem to
think they already are, yet like Snow Patrol before them they've done it
by adopting a very Coldplay dynamic.
Intriguing that that's now universally referred to as a "Coldplay dynamic".
I was slightly surprised to see that Athlete have retained the same producer
as their first album, although it is mixed by Michael H Brauer who also did
Parachutes.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Lower down, there are NE's for: Ian Brown #15
He does odd things singles-wise, in that they have almost an equal chance of
entering in the thirties or skim the top ten, most famously Dolphins Were
Monkeys, a post-album single with no Radio 1 daytime airplay, landing at #3.
Oddly enough, I bought the single myself, but I can't give you a detailed
explanation five
years later.

It was claimed at the time that the main selling point was the version of
'Billie Jean' on the CD single. It's also possible that people had held off
from buying the album because the lead single was the rather weaker 'Love
Like a Fountain'.
Another factor worth considering is that fans of Mancunian rock were in the
shops that week anyway to buy 'Go Let It Out' - see also 'There Goes The
Fear' by Doves, which came out in the same week as 'The Hindu Times'.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
The Others #21
Just enough of the Libertines constituency hanging around, then. They're not
going to be as big as the NME and South London thinks they are, of course,
because as much as they give good quote, they make unremarkable records
aimed at people who already have stuff of this type in spades.
I heard an album track on Lamacq Live which was, amazingly, even worse than
the singles. They remind me slightly of Ultrasound, only without any of the
good bits.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Mercury Rev #28
Still kicking themselves that it was the Flaming Lips who became the big
international cult band after they opened the way for them in a way with
Deserter's Songs in 1998, I imagine.
Quite possibly, although I suppose they are strictly speaking a spin-off
from the Lips anyway. And only one Flaming Lips single has charted higher,
if you don't count the Chemical Brothers one.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Roots Manuva #33
Yet another dawning for UK rap, then.
Although he claims in the lyrics not to give a damn about UK rap - he's a UK
black making UK tracks. He also says he wants to rest his nobbly knees,
which is an image you're unlikely to find in the work of Ja Rule.
Post by Simon Tyers
Where is Blade nowadays?
He made a solo album last year. Unfortunately for him, it was quite good,
which isn't much of a selling point in hip-hop these days.
That reminds me - I finally saw the Mark B/Tommy Evans video over the
weekend.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks
t
This can't just be the ringtone advert's ubiquity, can it? Hey Ya did
something similar to this at this time last year, but I don't see this as
being a dancefloor/party stable for ages.
Plus 'Hey Ya' obviously got a lot of its second wind from a market that
hadn't previously been interested in - or possibly even aware of - Outkast.
It's easy to see why my dad would like that one, but harder to imagine him
being interested in this.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Damien Rice - up 16 to #8 (no idea why)
I was going to bring this up - The Blower's Daughter is on the Closer
trailer, but it can't just be that. I haven't seen adverts for it either,
unlike Gwen Stefani's.
Being in the trailer isn't going to sell the record unless people already
know what it is. OTOH, maybe people who saw the actual film have bought it.
You have to wonder whether his record company chose the wrong time to
release the single.
Post by Simon Tyers
Ray Charles appears at 40 and 57 (the latter the OST, oddly) off the back
of the film.
Number 40 is a re-issue of Genius Loves Company with a DVD tacked on. It's
still slightly odd that the OST has charted lower, but I noticed that
Woolworths have stocked it with the compilations; and again it might be more
appealing to customers who've already seen the film, which only opened on
Friday Night.
Post by Simon Tyers
There's also a debut at 73 for KT Tunstall, much touted as this year's Dido.
A Top 75 debut, at least. I noticed that the first copies had a bonus track,
which has now disappeared.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
I expect next weeks #1 to be the Tsunami charity record 'Grief Never
Grows Old' by the One World Project.
I wonder, though. It had a lot of publicity when announced, but I've not
so much as heard any more about it - in fact, I only found out it was
being
released tomorrow earlier today. You'd have thought a couple of people
involved would at least have showed up at the Millennium Stadium yesterday.
Much as one hates to be cynical, it is an amazingly quick turnaround here -
less than a month since the disaster itself. Did Mike Read have this in the
can just in case? Having heard it a couple of times, I will unsurprisingly
declare Brian Wilson's contribution the least tacky; maybe because he's had
the misfortune to bury two of his brothers (not literally, of course).
Sadly, a member of his backing band is still missing.
Post by Simon Tyers
Hanson have had this very risky IMHO campaign where they're expecting the
pop-buying kids to
know about Mmm Bop, as this one isn't hugely outstanding
Although as yet they seem to be doing better than their last comeback.
Whether this is because or in spite of 'Mmmbop' receding further into the
past, we can only guess.
Post by Simon Tyers
and Mylo the radio ubiquity (there's already a pisstake
doing the rounds).
I've heard C***n & Edith's, but I doubt that's the only one.
Post by Simon Tyers
Good Charlotte (if that's still out this week) and
No, it isn't. Neither are Brian & Delta, who seem to have been put back at
the last minute.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
At least the flood of opportunistic rock singles seems to be abating.
I don't think it's so much 'opportunistic' as record company tradition,
Well, I'd say it was a tradition of opportunism.
Post by Simon Tyers
aiming their up and coming stars, especially guitar bands, for big hits in
the first couple of months of a year. January and February 2004 saw top 40
debuts by the Scissor Sisters, Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Razorlight and Snow
Patrol, with the Killers not long afterwards, and that's by no means
And the Zutons, for that matter.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
Rooster's marketing is an odd one, as they've now got to be relying on
selling the idea of a band who sound a bit like Aerosmith but are aimed at
the Busted market to album buyers, although the success of A Present For
Everyone and Room On The Third Floor bodes well for them.
As does the knowledge that there's no point waiting for the third Busted
album.
Post by Simon Tyers
I wouldn't rule
out a surprise top 40 place for LCD Soundsystem either. What's going to be
the album that bafflingly climbs 20 places into the top 10, though?
Ashanti?

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-26 06:44:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Singles
-------
The problem these Elvis number one attempts have, I've thought, is already
that we know how many singles someone will need to sell to topple this
week's Elvis release - I don't know about bigger city stores, but my local
HMV and Virgin had signs up apologising for having had all their stock of
this pre-ordered on Monday
I can tell you that my local MVC has a sign up to that effect, referring to
the entire series. The only other singles retailers in Harrow are Woolworths
(where I've neer seen any) and HMV, who I'm told are also out - I saw a
couple of (unnumbered) copies of 'One Night' in there last Monday, but they
were all gone by the time I was next in there.
OTOH, as previously noted, I was in Virgin at High Street Kensington on
Saturday, and there were lots of copies of 'A Fool Such As I' in there.
I'd have thought they'd hold at least *some* copies back for the
shelves.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
(although how do they then sell extra copies
the following week to ensure it remains in the charts?
Well, even people who pre-order them won't necessarily buy them on the
first week.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
so the level will always be around 21,000, which
certainly
in the middle of the year a number one would beat comfortably.
I wonder how many these Elvis re-releases would be selling if the
numbers weren't limited?
Post by Chris Brown
Another factor worth considering is that fans of Mancunian rock were in the
shops that week anyway to buy 'Go Let It Out' - see also 'There Goes The
Fear' by Doves, which came out in the same week as 'The Hindu Times'.
I see the Doves have a new single out in a couple of weeks time.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Ray Charles appears at 40 and 57 (the latter the OST, oddly) off the back
of the film.
Number 40 is a re-issue of Genius Loves Company with a DVD tacked on.
I always regard such 'special editions' as a cynical exploitation of
gullible fans. IMO the only reason to buy them is if you don't have the
original (as was the case with my purchase of Shakira's Laundry
Service).
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
There's also a debut at 73 for KT Tunstall, much touted as this year's Dido.
A Top 75 debut, at least.
Scraping in after 3 (non-consecutive) weeks in the lower regions of the
chart.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
I expect next weeks #1 to be the Tsunami charity record 'Grief Never
Grows Old' by the One World Project.
Much as one hates to be cynical, it is an amazingly quick turnaround here -
less than a month since the disaster itself. Did Mike Read have this in the
can just in case? Having heard it a couple of times, I will unsurprisingly
declare Brian Wilson's contribution the least tacky; maybe because he's had
the misfortune to bury two of his brothers (not literally, of course).
Sadly, a member of his backing band is still missing.
It's started slowly - just #4, but my thinking has become 'anything but
Elvis'. Not because I've got anything against him particularly, but
because RCA have ensured the charts will be clogged up for months.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Hanson have had this very risky IMHO campaign where they're expecting the
pop-buying kids to
know about Mmm Bop,
Or hoping they don't? :)
Post by Chris Brown
No, it isn't. Neither are Brian & Delta, who seem to have been put back at
the last minute.
Not at the last minute - the delay came several weeks back.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
Rooster's marketing is an odd one, as they've now got to be relying on
selling the idea of a band who sound a bit like Aerosmith but are aimed at
the Busted market to album buyers, although the success of A Present For
Everyone and Room On The Third Floor bodes well for them.
As does the knowledge that there's no point waiting for the third Busted
album.
There's already *been* a 3rd album.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
I wouldn't rule
out a surprise top 40 place for LCD Soundsystem either.
Much better than that, apparently - #14 on the initial midweek chart.

Quite how they've gone that high is surprising though - they've had
*one* single that made the top 75, and that was just #52. How do people
even know about them?
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Simon Tyers
2005-01-26 18:53:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
I see the Doves have a new single out in a couple of weeks time.
Yes, the first single from their third album. The Last Broadcast stayed at
number one for two weeks and only then rocketed down the charts, which seems
odd.
Post by Paul Hyett
I always regard such 'special editions' as a cynical exploitation of
gullible fans. IMO the only reason to buy them is if you don't have the
original (as was the case with my purchase of Shakira's Laundry
Service).
Indeed, and in some cases it can work just as well as an introductory
release of sorts if it's had a proper (ie not soft) release but not picked
up steam immediately - Final Straw came back out with two extra tracks, and
Who Killed The Zutons? had Don't Ever Think added a couple of weeks after
that came out as a single. Reissues with two extra tracks of long available
albums, though, are pretty much indefensible.
Post by Paul Hyett
It's started slowly - just #4, but my thinking has become 'anything but
Elvis'.
In the case of this, though, it's not likely to pick up a lot of sales late
in the week on the current amount of publicity, unless Mike Read's got a
couple of interviews hastily arranged.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
I wouldn't rule
out a surprise top 40 place for LCD Soundsystem either.
Much better than that, apparently - #14 on the initial midweek chart.
Quite how they've gone that high is surprising though - they've had
*one* single that made the top 75, and that was just #52. How do people
even know about them?
Music press publicity and word of mouth, essentially - they're essentially
James Murphy, who's made his name producing a lot of the current wave of New
York bands, The Rapture most successfully. Also, the forthcoming single is
C***n & E***h's record of the week.
Chris Brown
2005-01-26 20:10:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
I see the Doves have a new single out in a couple of weeks time.
Yes, the first single from their third album. The Last Broadcast stayed at
number one for two weeks and only then rocketed down the charts, which seems
odd.
Kid A did much the same, oddly.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
I always regard such 'special editions' as a cynical exploitation of
gullible fans. IMO the only reason to buy them is if you don't have the
original (as was the case with my purchase of Shakira's Laundry
Service).
Indeed, and in some cases it can work just as well as an introductory
release of sorts if it's had a proper (ie not soft) release but not picked
up steam immediately - Final Straw came back out with two extra tracks, and
And don't I bloomin' well know it, having got the original twelve-track
version for Christmas just before.
The slight consolation was that the second version also has three tracks
remixed, so at least there's something special about my copy.
Post by Simon Tyers
Who Killed The Zutons? had Don't Ever Think added a couple of weeks after
that came out as a single.
The very same week, in fact. By that time they'd supposedly sold something
like 100000, one of them to me, but I wasn't bothered because I could buy
the single for less than the cost of re-buying the album. Some fans resented
the absence of new B-sides, but that's another business.
Post by Simon Tyers
Reissues with two extra tracks of long available
albums, though, are pretty much indefensible.
That's hard to disagree with, although I'll admit to having bought a
couple - not ones I already had, naturally.
In fairness, though, sometimes arrangements are made for fans who had the
first one. Indeed, Snow Patrol apparently offered downloads of the bonus
tracks to owners of the original CD, although I wasn't able to make use of
it at the time.

I'd put this Ray Charles one in the latter category, especially as he
clearly won't have been able to add anything to the album since its original
release.
This week sees The Music's album grow a live DVD.
Is the Futureheads album getting re-released after 'Hounds Of Love' or did I
just imagine that?
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
It's started slowly - just #4, but my thinking has become 'anything but
Elvis'.
In the case of this, though, it's not likely to pick up a lot of sales late
in the week on the current amount of publicity, unless Mike Read's got a
couple of interviews hastily arranged.
Maybe Rodney Marsh will feel duty-bound to buy a thousand copies?
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
I wouldn't rule
out a surprise top 40 place for LCD Soundsystem either.
Much better than that, apparently - #14 on the initial midweek chart.
Quite how they've gone that high is surprising though - they've had
*one* single that made the top 75, and that was just #52. How do people
even know about them?
Music press publicity and word of mouth, essentially - they're essentially
James Murphy, who's made his name producing a lot of the current wave of New
York bands, The Rapture most successfully. Also, the forthcoming single is
C***n & E***h's record of the week.
Yes, EMI even sent me an e-mail when the last single came out. Also, initial
copies of the album come with a bonus CD.

Chris
Simon Tyers
2005-01-26 21:49:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Who Killed The Zutons? had Don't Ever Think added a couple of weeks after
that came out as a single.
The very same week, in fact. By that time they'd supposedly sold something
like 100000, one of them to me, but I wasn't bothered because I could buy
the single for less than the cost of re-buying the album. Some fans resented
the absence of new B-sides, but that's another business.
It makes sense, I'd say, as Don't Ever Think was their proper breakthrough
single in terms of sales and airplay, especially hot on the heels of the
Mercury nomination. I wonder, in retrospect, if they knew Confusion was
going to be on an advert when Don't Ever Think was scheduled as a single and
so knew that would be coming out and it'd look odd if a standalone single
was followed by going back to the album.
Post by Chris Brown
Is the Futureheads album getting re-released after 'Hounds Of Love' or did I
just imagine that?
I don't think so, as Hounds Of Love is already on it - in fact, it was a
last minute addition after being scheduled as a B-side so the promo copies
haven't got it on. Maybe 679 are properly promoting it much as they're about
to with Annie.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Quite how they've gone that high is surprising though - they've had
*one* single that made the top 75, and that was just #52. How do people
even know about them?
Music press publicity and word of mouth, essentially - they're essentially
James Murphy, who's made his name producing a lot of the current wave of New
York bands, The Rapture most successfully. Also, the forthcoming single is
C***n & E***h's record of the week.
Yes, EMI even sent me an e-mail when the last single came out. Also, initial
copies of the album come with a bonus CD.
With the previous singles on, including 'Yeah (Crass Version)' and 'Yeah
(Pretentious Version)'. A clear distinction, I'm sure. It's also worth a
mention that one of the Bright Eyes albums, I'm not sure which, is in the
midweek top 20, another success for word of mouth and some underground hype.
Nobody's called him the 2005 Ryan Adams yet, though.
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 06:54:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Chris Brown
Is the Futureheads album getting re-released after 'Hounds Of Love' or did
I
Post by Chris Brown
just imagine that?
I don't think so, as Hounds Of Love is already on it - in fact, it was a
last minute addition after being scheduled as a B-side so the promo copies
haven't got it on. Maybe 679 are properly promoting it much as they're about
to with Annie.
As in 'Chewing Gum' Annie? I bought her first single, but her next
release isn't anything like so good.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Simon Tyers
2005-01-27 16:59:54 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
I don't think so, as Hounds Of Love is already on it - in fact, it was a
last minute addition after being scheduled as a B-side so the promo copies
haven't got it on. Maybe 679 are properly promoting it much as they're about
to with Annie.
As in 'Chewing Gum' Annie? I bought her first single, but her next
release isn't anything like so good.
It's certainly not a more obvious big radio hit, but the indications are
that, after the relatively soft launch (which seemed to extend to the
single, actually) the album will get properly plugged on the back of
Heartbeat's single release at the end of February.
Paul Hyett
2005-01-31 18:02:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Maybe 679 are properly promoting it much as they're about
Post by Simon Tyers
to with Annie.
As in 'Chewing Gum' Annie? I bought her first single, but her next
release isn't anything like so good.
Following up - it's starting to grow on me a bit, though.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-28 20:50:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Who Killed The Zutons? had Don't Ever Think added a couple of weeks
after
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
that came out as a single.
It makes sense, I'd say, as Don't Ever Think was their proper breakthrough
single in terms of sales and airplay, especially hot on the heels of the
Mercury nomination. I wonder, in retrospect, if they knew Confusion was
going to be on an advert when Don't Ever Think was scheduled as a single and
so knew that would be coming out and it'd look odd if a standalone single
was followed by going back to the album.
I suspect not, because 'Confusion' had apparently been earmarked as a single
but pulled in favour of 'Don't Ever Think'.
There are of course precedents anyway, if not very successful ones.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Chris Brown
Is the Futureheads album getting re-released after 'Hounds Of Love' or
did
I
Post by Chris Brown
just imagine that?
I don't think so, as Hounds Of Love is already on it - in fact, it was a
last minute addition after being scheduled as a B-side so the promo copies
haven't got it on. Maybe 679 are properly promoting it much as they're about
to with Annie.
I knew it was already there, but I thought they might be using it as a
launchpad.
There seem to be some rumours of a DVD so I'm certainly not going to buy the
album until I know.
Post by Simon Tyers
Nobody's called him the 2005 Ryan Adams yet, though.
Maybe he's paid them not to, in the light of what happened to the 2004 Ryan
Adams.

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 06:51:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Final Straw came back out with two extra tracks,
and
And don't I bloomin' well know it, having got the original twelve-track
version for Christmas just before.
Well, at least you didn't have to pay for it.
Post by Simon Tyers
The slight consolation was that the second version also has three tracks
remixed, so at least there's something special about my copy.
What I can't understand is why Snow Patrol's two previous albums haven't
been massively re-promoted now they've hit the big-time. They've barely
crawled into the top 200.

I know they're only owned by an indie label, but even so...
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Simon Tyers
2005-01-27 16:59:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
The slight consolation was that the second version also has three tracks
remixed, so at least there's something special about my copy.
What I can't understand is why Snow Patrol's two previous albums haven't
been massively re-promoted now they've hit the big-time. They've barely
crawled into the top 200.
I know they're only owned by an indie label, but even so...
Hardly 'only', as Jeepster, while not a huge organisation with major
backing, have some sway after launching Belle & Sebastian (and Snow Patrol
now, actually). There's been some promotion, certainly - I've seen them
given decent shelf space at £7.99 just after Run, and their website is
promoting the DVD on the back of several older tracks (and one Reindeer
Section song, from Gary Lightbody's side project band) featured.
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 18:35:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
The slight consolation was that the second version also has three tracks
remixed, so at least there's something special about my copy.
What I can't understand is why Snow Patrol's two previous albums haven't
been massively re-promoted now they've hit the big-time. They've barely
crawled into the top 200.
I know they're only owned by an indie label, but even so...
Hardly 'only', as Jeepster, while not a huge organisation with major
backing, have some sway after launching Belle & Sebastian (and Snow Patrol
now, actually). There's been some promotion, certainly - I've seen them
given decent shelf space at £7.99 just after Run, and their website is
promoting the DVD on the back of several older tracks (and one Reindeer
Section song, from Gary Lightbody's side project band) featured.
IMO if you sold them as a double-album at, say £10, and did a TV advert,
they'd be sure to go top 75 at least.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-28 20:16:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Paul Hyett
What I can't understand is why Snow Patrol's two previous albums haven't
been massively re-promoted now they've hit the big-time. They've barely
crawled into the top 200.
IMO if you sold them as a double-album at, say £10, and did a TV advert,
they'd be sure to go top 75 at least.
Well, quite possibly they would. But the profit margin would be tiny that
way, and given that it costs tens of thousands of pounds a time to advertise
on television, they'd be extremely unlikely to make any money from it, and
could well end up making a loss.

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-29 07:49:08 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Paul Hyett
What I can't understand is why Snow Patrol's two previous albums haven't
been massively re-promoted now they've hit the big-time. They've barely
crawled into the top 200.
IMO if you sold them as a double-album at, say £10, and did a TV advert,
they'd be sure to go top 75 at least.
Well, quite possibly they would. But the profit margin would be tiny that
way, and given that it costs tens of thousands of pounds a time to advertise
on television, they'd be extremely unlikely to make any money from it, and
could well end up making a loss.
Well, perhaps they could get Polydor to buy the copyright from them?
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-28 21:04:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
What I can't understand is why Snow Patrol's two previous albums haven't
been massively re-promoted now they've hit the big-time. They've barely
crawled into the top 200.
I know they're only owned by an indie label, but even so...
Hardly 'only', as Jeepster, while not a huge organisation with major
backing, have some sway after launching Belle & Sebastian (and Snow Patrol
now, actually).
It had, but I'm not quite sure about the current status of Jeepster, given
that every act I know of that released records there has left (B&S to Rough
Trade and Snow Patrol to Polydor of course, but also Looper to Mute, Isobel
Campbell to Snowstorm and Salako to I can't remember where).
Post by Simon Tyers
There's been some promotion, certainly - I've seen them
given decent shelf space at £7.99 just after Run, and their website is
promoting the DVD on the back of several older tracks (and one Reindeer
Section song, from Gary Lightbody's side project band) featured.
The CD single of 'Chocolate', which includes a live 'One Night Is Not
Enough' also cross-promotes When It's All Over We Still Have To Clear Up.

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 06:36:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
I see the Doves have a new single out in a couple of weeks time.
Yes, the first single from their third album. The Last Broadcast stayed at
number one for two weeks and only then rocketed down the charts, which seems
odd.
Not that odd, necessarily : they might have sold say 60k, 30k, at #1,
then just 10k on wk3, & 5k on wk4.
Post by Simon Tyers
Indeed, and in some cases it can work just as well as an introductory
release of sorts if it's had a proper (ie not soft) release but not picked
up steam immediately - Final Straw came back out with two extra tracks
The extra tracks had nothing to do with it - it was 100% to do with the
release of the magnificent 'Run'.
Post by Simon Tyers
Also, the forthcoming single is
C***n & E***h's record of the week.
Who?
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Simon Tyers
2005-01-27 16:59:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Indeed, and in some cases it can work just as well as an introductory
release of sorts if it's had a proper (ie not soft) release but not picked
up steam immediately - Final Straw came back out with two extra tracks
The extra tracks had nothing to do with it - it was 100% to do with the
release of the magnificent 'Run'.
No, I know that, but what I meant was Final Straw initially came out in
October '03, before the first release of Spitting Games, but charted in the
mid-hundreds. Supposedly Run was going to be the third single if it had done
better, which makes you wonder what the label had planned for January (and
is odd anyway given Colin Murray, when he was doing the evening show while
Zane Lowe's XFM contract elapsed, played a demo of it that June or so.) As
it was, Run was brought forward and the repackaged album came out then,
although I think it had started selling well anyway after Run got radio
play.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Also, the forthcoming single is
C***n & E***h's record of the week.
Who?
Colin and Edith.
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 18:39:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
The extra tracks had nothing to do with it - it was 100% to do with the
release of the magnificent 'Run'.
No, I know that, but what I meant was Final Straw initially came out in
October '03, before the first release of Spitting Games, but charted in the
mid-hundreds.
#103 16/8, #166 23/8, then a 4 week gap, then #147 on 20/9. It wasn't
until 20 weeks after that, that it was re-released.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Also, the forthcoming single is
C***n & E***h's record of the week.
Who?
Colin and Edith.
Then why the '***'s?
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-29 15:02:22 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
Indeed, and in some cases it can work just as well as an introductory
release of sorts if it's had a proper (ie not soft) release but not
picked
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
up steam immediately - Final Straw came back out with two extra tracks
The extra tracks had nothing to do with it - it was 100% to do with the
release of the magnificent 'Run'.
No, I know that, but what I meant was Final Straw initially came out in
October '03, before the first release of Spitting Games, but charted in the
mid-hundreds.
I think it was even earlier than that, but with zero publicity - I didn't
know until the day it came out.
Post by Simon Tyers
Supposedly Run was going to be the third single if it had done
better, which makes you wonder what the label had planned for January
If the first 'Spitting Games' had done better, then maybe 'Run' could have
been a big hit without have to come out in January, so they might have used
the opportunity to release 'Chocolate' or something.
Post by Simon Tyers
(and is odd anyway given Colin Murray, when he was doing the evening show
while
Zane Lowe's XFM contract elapsed, played a demo of it that June or so.) As
But I'm sure I remember Colin and Donna Legge playing a demo of 'Whatever's
Left' even earlier than that, when they had Session-In-The-Nations
presenters to cover Lammo's holidays. I may even have a tape of it
somewhere.
Post by Simon Tyers
it was, Run was brought forward and the repackaged album came out then,
although I think it had started selling well anyway after Run got radio
play.
I know that for the first few weeks of 2004 it was impossible to get the
album - all the online stores (ot: sores) had it as unavailable, and I
overheard people unsuccessfully asking for it in shops. Whether Polydor
actually went to the lengths of recalling the original version or just
allowed the tiny pressing to sell out I don't know, but it's fairly obvious
that they didn't want to have the album cannibalising sales from the single,
and this way round the re-issued album would also make more impact.
In theory, at least, those fans who'd bought the album first time round
could get the bonus tracks without having to buy it again, so they won't
have done a lot to revive the album's fortunes; they're not even on the
vinyl version. They're part of Universal's standard practice of loading
bonus material onto "UK Editions" to offset competition from imports. The US
version of the album has the same mixes as the Fiction re-issue, but without
the extra tracks.

Chris
Jan Buxton
2005-01-27 13:53:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
I wouldn't rule
out a surprise top 40 place for LCD Soundsystem either.
Much better than that, apparently - #14 on the initial midweek chart.
Quite how they've gone that high is surprising though - they've had
*one* single that made the top 75, and that was just #52. How do people
even know about them?
Daft Punk Is Playing At My House - wicked.
--
Jan
Paul Hyett
2005-01-27 18:40:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jan Buxton
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Simon Tyers
I wouldn't rule
out a surprise top 40 place for LCD Soundsystem either.
Much better than that, apparently - #14 on the initial midweek chart.
Daft Punk Is Playing At My House - wicked.
Heard it today - made no impression on me whatsoever.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-29 14:32:08 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Singles
-------
The problem these Elvis number one attempts have, I've thought, is already
(although how do they then sell extra copies
the following week to ensure it remains in the charts?
Well, even people who pre-order them won't necessarily buy them on the
first week.
That's a good point, which I hadn't thought of.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
so the level will always be around 21,000, which
certainly
in the middle of the year a number one would beat comfortably.
I wonder how many these Elvis re-releases would be selling if the
numbers weren't limited?
Probably not a lot more, if any.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
It's started slowly - just #4, but my thinking has become 'anything but
Elvis'. Not because I've got anything against him particularly, but
because RCA have ensured the charts will be clogged up for months.
I seem to be alone here, but I really don't have a problem with this.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Hanson have had this very risky IMHO campaign where they're expecting the
pop-buying kids to
know about Mmm Bop,
Or hoping they don't? :)
That's just it. When they last made a comeback, they were talking about how
much they'd grown up and their new more mature sound etc. You can see how
far that got them.
This time around (pun not intended!) they seem to be trying to remind people
about their past.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
No, it isn't. Neither are Brian & Delta, who seem to have been put back at
the last minute.
Not at the last minute - the delay came several weeks back.
I saw Monday's release date quoted as recently as, well, Monday, so I don't
think they did a good job of telling people.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
As does the knowledge that there's no point waiting for the third Busted
album.
There's already *been* a 3rd album.
I wasn't counting the live one.

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-29 19:39:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
It's started slowly - just #4, but my thinking has become 'anything but
Elvis'. Not because I've got anything against him particularly, but
because RCA have ensured the charts will be clogged up for months.
I seem to be alone here, but I really don't have a problem with this.
I wouldn't like other record companies to copy it though - the last
thing we need would be the charts clogged up with old re-releases at the
expense of new British talent.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-30 20:48:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
It's started slowly - just #4, but my thinking has become 'anything but
Elvis'. Not because I've got anything against him particularly, but
because RCA have ensured the charts will be clogged up for months.
I seem to be alone here, but I really don't have a problem with this.
I wouldn't like other record companies to copy it though - the last
thing we need would be the charts clogged up with old re-releases at the
expense of new British talent.
I think if there is new British talent out there, it's going to show up
anyhow. It's difficult to imagine that there's a big cross-over market
between Elvis and Bloc Party, say. It's true that Elvis might be keeping
certain acts from going to Number One - but his nearest rival this week was
Ashanti, whom I wouldn't describe as new, British or particularly talented.

Besides, I don't think this is very likely to set a precedent. I can't
imagine that a big re-issue programme of, say, Elton John singles would
attract much interest. Realistically, it's only the Beatles catalogue that
would be likely to succeed in this fashion, and I quite fancy the idea of
that myself. Still, given the speed at which the Apple ship turns round, it
isn't very likely. :-(



Chris
alan G
2005-01-24 00:05:07 UTC
Permalink
<snip>
Albums
Post by Paul Hyett
------
Little change here - Killers still #1, and the rest of the top 5 remain
exactly the same. too.
Damien Rice - up 16 to #8 (no idea why), Gwen Stefani - up 8 to #10, and
massive climbs for Lucie Silvas up 43 to #16, and especially Thirteen
Senses 'Invitation' - up 186 places to #14 (though technically it was a
re-issue).
This is not an unexpected phenomenon, as the tele-marketed and Greatest Hits
albums in time for Christmas fade away in the cold light of a non festive
period.

This leaves room in the chart for a mini-renaissance for existing successful
albums.
alanG
Paul Hyett
2005-01-24 06:55:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by alan G
<snip>
Albums
Post by Paul Hyett
------
Little change here - Killers still #1, and the rest of the top 5 remain
exactly the same. too.
Damien Rice - up 16 to #8 (no idea why), Gwen Stefani - up 8 to #10, and
massive climbs for Lucie Silvas up 43 to #16, and especially Thirteen
Senses 'Invitation' - up 186 places to #14 (though technically it was a
re-issue).
This is not an unexpected phenomenon, as the tele-marketed and Greatest Hits
albums in time for Christmas fade away in the cold light of a non festive
period.
Well, Gwen, Lucie & 13 Senses (also Ashanti & Ashlee Simpson) have
singles pushing them, but I can't see why Damien Rice suddenly climbed?
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Paul Hyett
2005-01-24 18:04:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Singles
-------
Sales :

Ciara 22k
Elvis 20k
Chem B 18k
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
------
Sales :

Killers 50k
Scissor Sisters 35k
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-24 20:44:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Where to start?!
If we communicate for two minutes only...
Post by Paul Hyett
Singles
-------
Coming from well behind on mid-weeks (#4 in fact), >Ciara claims the #1
spot.
So you were right after all - and this despite Elvis's reportedly massive
lead over the Chemical Bros and whatever gap they and Athlete had over her.
Mind you, this does seem to be the sort of record that would sell towards
the end of the week - it obviously isn't obsessive Ciara fans driving the
sales. It's interesting to not that this is the first chart-topper in over
two months that was (presumably) written in this century.
The song itself is sadly not an ode to Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden and Tim
Brooke-Taylor, although this is as good an excuse as I'll ever get to
mention that my mum has Bill Oddie's autograph.
Post by Paul Hyett
No hat-trick for Elvis, as 'A Fool Such As I' enters at #2.
That'll be my Midas touch again then ;-)
I bought a copy yesterday as a favour for somebody.
Post by Paul Hyett
He snares an
unwanted record though, as the song it replaced, 'One Night' suffers the
biggest ever fall from the top - #1 to #20, beating the previous record
of 1-12 by Harry Belafonte in early 1958.
And of course, Belafonte's was a Christmas record, so it pretty much had a
sell-by date. This one is presumably a victim of low stock availability.
Post by Paul Hyett
'Jailhouse Rock' also dropped
out of the top 40 from #10, one of the biggest dropouts ever.
AIUI, it's already the record for shortest Top 40 run - it's beaten Blur's
'Beetlebum'. The record for shortest Top 75 run stands at five weeks, IIRC -
and as 'Jailhouse Rock' has already slipped back to 50, that looks
vulnerable too.
Post by Paul Hyett
A colossal fall from #2 at well, as MSP beat their own 2 month old
record by dropping to #26.
I wouldn't put money on them staying in the 40 next week.
Post by Paul Hyett
Elsewhere on the new entry front, for only the 2nd time ever the entire
#3 Chemical Brothers,
Their first Top 10 since 'Star Guitar' three years ago. The uncredited guest
vocalist Q-Tip narrowly fails to equal his own chart peak of 2.
Post by Paul Hyett
#4 Athlete,
Their first Top Thirty hit, setting things up for the album at the end of
the month.
Post by Paul Hyett
#5 Feeder,
Equalling their previous best (with 'Buck Rogers' in January 2001). As I've
said before, I'm not greatly fond of this record, and I'm tempted to suggest
that the guesting members of Travis have made the song in their own image...
although it's a good while since *they* had a hit this big. It also sounds
like a continuation of the style of their last album, although the lead
single from that record was the atypically rocking 'Come Back Around'. Is
this the end of their Kerrang!! era, I wonder?
Post by Paul Hyett
and #6, the drop-dead-
gorgeous Lucie Silvas! :)
With a song that sounds even less like a hit single than the last one - not
that it's bad or anything, it just doesn't sound like the sort of thing that
shifts singles in the 21st century. It's less of a surprise to see it
helping the album.
Post by Paul Hyett
One further NE in the top 10 : #9 Stonebridge.
I understand that this is actually their remix of something else with a new
vocal dubbed over it.
Post by Paul Hyett
Lower down, there are NE's for: Ian Brown #15,
Not a Top Ten hit after all, then, but a couple of places higher than the
last one. The mariachi trumpet parts remind me of Love (the band, not the
emotion).
Post by Paul Hyett
The Others #21,
With lyrics that even Linkin Park would surely consider childish.
Post by Paul Hyett
Soulwax #27,
Their biggest-ever hit, although it probably hasn't sold any more than the
last one.
Post by Paul Hyett
Mercury Rev #28,
"In a funny way," they sing, "She reminds you of The Fall". I wonder whether
that's a biblical metaphor, or whether she just keeps saying "-ah" at the
end of words. ;-)
Their fifth Top 40 single, though they've only once troubled the Top Twenty.
Post by Paul Hyett
Roots Manuva #33,
Now this is a small victory - his first appearance in the Naughty Forty
since he guested on Leftfield's final hit 'Dusted' in December 1999, and his
first ever as a solo artist.
Post by Paul Hyett
Rachel McFarlane #36
AATW, I presume.
Post by Paul Hyett
& Mooney Suzuki #38.
I may have said before that I feel this record falls between two stools
somewhat, and in the end it doesn't seem to have impressed many other people
either.
I'm sure I don't have to tell you that their name is a reference to the
first two lead singers of Can.
Post by Paul Hyett
Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks,
*boggle*
Post by Paul Hyett
Green Day up 2 to #11,
Possibly because they're in the country.. although I hear that in the USA
they've returned to the top of both singles and LP charts.
Post by Paul Hyett
Finally, Eric Prydz spends his 19th (and surely last) week in the top
40, at #40.
You would think so, but who knows really?
Only one new entry in the 41-75 zone, BTW, for Dylan Rhymes.
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
------
and especially Thirteen
Senses 'Invitation' - up 186 places to #14 (though technically it was a
re-issue).
I suppose very technically it's not a re-issue either because I think it has
the same catalogue number. Maybe it's a re-promotion?
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
I expect next weeks #1 to be the Tsunami charity record 'Grief Never
Grows Old' by the One World Project.
That's believable.
Post by Paul Hyett
The best of the new releases IMO are : Ashanti, Ashlee Simpson,
Commander Tom, Hanson & Lovefreekz - all of which should get a top 10
placing, along with the next Elvis re-release.
Not my O there, although I must confess that I haven't actually heard the
Commander Tom one.
Post by Paul Hyett
Lower down, I can see : Freefaller, Houston, Lemon Jelly, Mylo, Phixx &
X-Zibit.
Radio 2 have been playing Phixx to death, even if nobody else is interested.
I predict a Top Twenty single followed by an album that peaks at about 68.
Much as it pains me to say this, I wouldn't be shocked to see Xzibit pretty
high (although I release he's only at the end of your list because of the
alphabetical order).
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
------
Given the weak overall sales, and on their past performance, the
Chemical Brothers might well enter at #1,
The single's done well too, so somebody must like it even if we don't.
Post by Paul Hyett
and Mercury Rev, Rooster &
Erasure should be competing for high placings too.
Yes, even if for different reasons. Mercury Rev seem to be charging extra
for the special edition CD.
Post by Paul Hyett
Hopefully Lucie can
climb into the top 10 as well.
That may hinge on how many Top Ten entries there are, but it looks fairly
likely.

Chris
Simon Tyers
2005-01-24 21:42:17 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
So you were right after all - and this despite Elvis's reportedly massive
lead over the Chemical Bros and whatever gap they and Athlete had over her.
And she did it by a clear 2k too, which must have meant a virtually
triangular sales graph over the week. Has anything else like this happened
since the midweeks started being common knowledge?
Post by Chris Brown
Mind you, this does seem to be the sort of record that would sell towards
the end of the week - it obviously isn't obsessive Ciara fans driving the
sales. It's interesting to not that this is the first chart-topper in over
two months that was (presumably) written in this century.
Excellently, it's actually an answer record to a Petey Pablo track, hence
his credit for seemingly doing nothing. All Around The World Records, where
are you?
Post by Chris Brown
The song itself is sadly not an ode to Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden and Tim
Brooke-Taylor, although this is as good an excuse as I'll ever get to
mention that my mum has Bill Oddie's autograph.
Not as many people as I thought would have made this joke, although enough
to make up for the missed opportunities when Britney released Me Against The
Music, which was surely ripe for a Flash game where Britney has to get past
Robert Harvey to snog Madonna.
Post by Chris Brown
Their first Top 10 since 'Star Guitar' three years ago. The uncredited guest
vocalist Q-Tip narrowly fails to equal his own chart peak of 2.
And that was uncredited too, so he's managed to outdo his work with A Tribe
Called Quest and solo when nobody knows it's him.
Post by Chris Brown
Their fifth Top 40 single, though they've only once troubled the Top Twenty.
I remembered today when Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp was in the midweek top 20
and hence the CD:UK chart when they ran down the whole top 20 in that show's
early days, and Cat (I think) came out of the rundown commenting on "a good
chart entry for Mercury Rising".
Post by Chris Brown
I'm sure I don't have to tell you that their name is a reference to the
first two lead singers of Can.
Yet it's produced by the Matrix, although not so much that you'd notice much
difference from when they first made a small impression a couple of years
ago.
Post by Chris Brown
Radio 2 have been playing Phixx to death, even if nobody else is interested.
I predict a Top Twenty single followed by an album that peaks at about 68.
Another one? They seem to have dropped any pretence of having an edge,
perhaps realising there's a Blue-shaped gap in the market at the moment. I'm
shocked they've not gone with the song written by Blue Peter's Matt Baker
(for the show, obviously, he didn't just send them a demo tape off his own
back) as the B-side.
Chris Brown
2005-01-24 21:57:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Chris Brown
The song itself is sadly not an ode to Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden and Tim
Brooke-Taylor, although this is as good an excuse as I'll ever get to
mention that my mum has Bill Oddie's autograph.
Not as many people as I thought would have made this joke, although enough
She used to drive a Ford Sierra, too, but people have made that joke.
Post by Simon Tyers
to make up for the missed opportunities when Britney released Me Against The
Music, which was surely ripe for a Flash game where Britney has to get past
Robert Harvey to snog Madonna.
It's an enduring image, isn't it?
I remember when my brother heard that Bryan Adams was releasing an Unplugged
album, he suggested that "They should have unplugged the microphone."
I wish I'd thought of that.
Still, when The Music released their single, I did suggest that they should
have taken the long road and walked away from the microphone.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Chris Brown
Their first Top 10 since 'Star Guitar' three years ago. The uncredited
guest
Post by Chris Brown
vocalist Q-Tip narrowly fails to equal his own chart peak of 2.
And that was uncredited too, so he's managed to outdo his work with A Tribe
Called Quest and solo when nobody knows it's him.
Although for some reason he did get a credit on that Janet Jackson record
(which is probably the one I'd be least inclined to admit to).
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Chris Brown
I'm sure I don't have to tell you that their name is a reference to the
first two lead singers of Can.
Yet it's produced by the Matrix, although not so much that you'd notice much
difference from when they first made a small impression a couple of years
ago.
Unfortunately for them, when you hire the Matrix, you can't really claim to
have done it for anything other than commercial reasons.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Chris Brown
Radio 2 have been playing Phixx to death, even if nobody else is
interested.
Post by Chris Brown
I predict a Top Twenty single followed by an album that peaks at about 68.
Another one? They seem to have dropped any pretence of having an edge,
perhaps realising there's a Blue-shaped gap in the market at the moment. I'm
shocked they've not gone with the song written by Blue Peter's Matt Baker
(for the show, obviously, he didn't just send them a demo tape off his own
back) as the B-side.
Bizarrely, they've gone with an acoustic version of 'Wild Boys' on the
two-track. How is that even possible?

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-25 06:57:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Chris Brown
So you were right after all - and this despite Elvis's reportedly massive
lead over the Chemical Bros and whatever gap they and Athlete had over
her.
And she did it by a clear 2k too, which must have meant a virtually
triangular sales graph over the week.
Ciara sold 6238 on Saturday, against Elvis's 1236.
Post by Simon Tyers
Excellently, it's actually an answer record to a Petey Pablo track, hence
his credit for seemingly doing nothing. All Around The World Records, where
are you?
AWOL, hopefully - we need another rap artist like a hole in the head.
Post by Simon Tyers
Not as many people as I thought would have made this joke, although enough
to make up for the missed opportunities when Britney released Me Against The
Music, which was surely ripe for a Flash game where Britney has to get past
Robert Harvey to snog Madonna.
I notice Britters has another video out this week - but even her
standard lack of clothes can't disguise a very weak song this time.
Post by Simon Tyers
Post by Chris Brown
Radio 2 have been playing Phixx to death
We can only hope, *literally*... :)
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Paul Hyett
2005-01-25 06:47:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Singles
-------
Coming from well behind on mid-weeks (#4 in fact), >Ciara claims the #1
spot.
So you were right after all - and this despite Elvis's reportedly massive
lead over the Chemical Bros and whatever gap they and Athlete had over her.
Mind you, this does seem to be the sort of record that would sell towards
the end of the week - it obviously isn't obsessive Ciara fans driving the
sales.
Since I've had access to midweek charts, I've noticed that sales of rap
& R&B tracks tend to be relatively steady through the week. Thus they
climb late when the opposition are 'fanbase' rock acts (and limited
editions).
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
No hat-trick for Elvis, as 'A Fool Such As I' enters at #2.
That'll be my Midas touch again then ;-)
I bought a copy yesterday as a favour for somebody.
You actually managed to find one? How far will it drop this week though?
Post by Chris Brown
And of course, Belafonte's was a Christmas record, so it pretty much had a
sell-by date. This one is presumably a victim of low stock availability.
The Manic Street Preachers don't even have *that* excuse, though.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
A colossal fall from #2 at well, as MSP beat their own 2 month old
record by dropping to #26.
I wouldn't put money on them staying in the 40 next week.
Will the even hang in the 75?
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
#4 Athlete,
Their first Top Thirty hit, setting things up for the album at the end of
the month.
Another 'chart-high, drop-like-a-brick' album, no doubt.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
and #6, the drop-dead-
gorgeous Lucie Silvas! :)
With a song that sounds even less like a hit single than the last one - not
that it's bad or anything, it just doesn't sound like the sort of thing that
shifts singles in the 21st century.
Her looks might...
Post by Chris Brown
It's less of a surprise to see it
helping the album.
Loads of airplay - presumably R2 loves her.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
One further NE in the top 10 : #9 Stonebridge.
I understand that this is actually their remix of something else with a new
vocal dubbed over it.
Again, we go back to the video factor, with Therese in a revealing
top...
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks,
*boggle*
Any record than can sell steadily, especially now, is going to reap
chart rewards.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Green Day up 2 to #11,
Possibly because they're in the country.. although I hear that in the USA
they've returned to the top of both singles and LP charts.
'LP' charts? :)

I know The Killers are touring here, which explains their strong album
sales.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
------
and especially Thirteen
Senses 'Invitation' - up 186 places to #14 (though technically it was a
re-issue).
I suppose very technically it's not a re-issue either because I think it has
the same catalogue number. Maybe it's a re-promotion?
Whatever.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
I expect next weeks #1 to be the Tsunami charity record 'Grief Never
Grows Old' by the One World Project.
That's believable.
Not much publicity, but it'll only need just over 20k sales.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
The best of the new releases IMO are : Ashanti, Ashlee Simpson,
Commander Tom, Hanson & Lovefreekz - all of which should get a top 10
placing, along with the next Elvis re-release.
Not my O there, although I must confess that I haven't actually heard the
Commander Tom one.
Another sampled dance track.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Lower down, I can see : Freefaller, Houston, Lemon Jelly, Mylo, Phixx &
X-Zibit.
Radio 2 have been playing Phixx to death, even if nobody else is interested.
I predict a Top Twenty single followed by an album that peaks at about 68.
Add a nought at the end, and you'll probably be closer. :)
Post by Chris Brown
Much as it pains me to say this, I wouldn't be shocked to see Xzibit pretty
high (although I release he's only at the end of your list because of the
alphabetical order).
Yeah, alphabetical order, that's it... :)

I wonder what the split between black & white purchasers is for rap/r&b
records? All I know is that such records do far worse in Scotland...
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
------
Given the weak overall sales, and on their past performance, the
Chemical Brothers might well enter at #1,
The single's done well too, so somebody must like it even if we don't.
The thing is, I usually *like* the Chemical Bothers stuff, but there's
just *something* about 'Galvanise' that puts me off.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Hopefully Lucie can
climb into the top 10 as well.
That may hinge on how many Top Ten entries there are, but it looks fairly
likely.
Resurging albums tend to peak the week after their associated singles
hit the charts, so next week has to be her best chance.

I suspect the younger Simpson sister will also beat her best album
position next week, too. She seems to have more grey matter than her
sister, though J. is more attractive.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-27 21:46:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Singles
-------
Coming from well behind on mid-weeks (#4 in fact), >Ciara claims the #1
spot.
No hat-trick for Elvis, as 'A Fool Such As I' enters at #2.
That'll be my Midas touch again then ;-)
I bought a copy yesterday as a favour for somebody.
You actually managed to find one?
Yes - I wasn't especially looking, but the one shop I went into had loads of
them.
Post by Paul Hyett
How far will it drop this week though?
At least 16 places ;-)
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
And of course, Belafonte's was a Christmas record, so it pretty much had a
sell-by date. This one is presumably a victim of low stock availability.
The Manic Street Preachers don't even have *that* excuse, though.
No. As I mentioned recently, we're close to the fifth anniversary of 'Masses
Against the Classes', which was a deleted-on-the-day-of-release affair and
was confidently expected to drop out of the charts faster than Iron Maiden.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
A colossal fall from #2 at well, as MSP beat their own 2 month old
record by dropping to #26.
I wouldn't put money on them staying in the 40 next week.
Will the even hang in the 75?
I'd expect so, because it would be so hard not to. I wouldn't bank on a
fourth week at this rate, however.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
#4 Athlete,
Their first Top Thirty hit, setting things up for the album at the end of
the month.
Another 'chart-high, drop-like-a-brick' album, no doubt.
EMI evidently don't think so.
It's worth noting that their debut set, Vehicles & Animals, never charted
especially high, but ended up selling remarkably well for a record without a
major hit single on it. It's clearly the record company's intention that an
Athlete album that does have a big hit on it could be the Final
Straw/Parachutes/The Man Who of 2005.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
and #6, the drop-dead-
gorgeous Lucie Silvas! :)
With a song that sounds even less like a hit single than the last one - not
that it's bad or anything, it just doesn't sound like the sort of thing that
shifts singles in the 21st century.
Her looks might...
I'm sure they aren't doing any harm - but she's not the only blonde woman in
the world.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
It's less of a surprise to see it
helping the album.
Loads of airplay - presumably R2 loves her.
They certainly do, which is why I have to hear it five times a day.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks,
*boggle*
Any record than can sell steadily, especially now, is going to reap
chart rewards.
Oh, I agree entirely. It's the fact that anybody would ever have wanted to
pay money for this record that I have trouble with.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Green Day up 2 to #11,
Possibly because they're in the country.. although I hear that in the USA
they've returned to the top of both singles and LP charts.
'LP' charts? :)
It's the best way to avoid repeating the word "album".
It is available on vinyl, although I don't know how well it's selling on
that format.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Singles
-------
I wonder what the split between black & white purchasers is for rap/r&b
records? All I know is that such records do far worse in Scotland...
I have no idea, although anecdotally I can tell you that where I live
there's no particular distinction.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Albums
------
Given the weak overall sales, and on their past performance, the
Chemical Brothers might well enter at #1,
The single's done well too, so somebody must like it even if we don't.
The thing is, I usually *like* the Chemical Bothers stuff, but there's
just *something* about 'Galvanise' that puts me off.
Overexposure is the biggest problem for me, but the only element of the
track I ever liked was the string loop (which they presumably sampled). I
have mixed feelings about them - some of their stuff I really like and some
just leaves me cold.
Post by Paul Hyett
I suspect the younger Simpson sister will also beat her best album
position next week, too. She seems to have more grey matter than her
sister,
Not a great acheivement.
Post by Paul Hyett
though J. is more attractive.
Can't say either of them does a great deal for me, but I also find Jessica
Simpson's rather vacant look disturbing.
Mind you, I can remember when her first single came out.

Chris
Robin Carmody
2005-01-27 21:54:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
I wonder what the split between black & white purchasers is for rap/r&b
records? All I know is that such records do far worse in Scotland...
I have no idea, although anecdotally I can tell you that where I live
there's no particular distinction.
The same applies in every environment of my experience. It is a universal
truth that music transcends racial boundaries and Hyett's comment is a
nasty, distasteful piece of shit-stirring, particularly inappropriate in the
week of Holocaust Memorial Day.

Unfortunately, it is all too common to hear such arguments coming from the
mouths of knuckle-dragging bigots like Hyett, whose only objection to
hip-hop and R&B is the worst one imaginable: that it is *the wrong sort* of
US export (house arrests are presumably the right sort for people like him).
It is not particularly fear of black people, it is fear of those Americans
who do not feel represented by the Bush administration and want something
more progressive, open-minded and forward-thinking. That such Americans are
disproportionately likely to be black is comparatively incidental. He has
been shown up to be full of hypocrisy and humbug on at least one previous
occasion, blatantly contradicting himself and his own arguments even within
the course of the same thread.

I wonder what he thinks of the Nelly & Tim McGraw single? There's a nice
little redneck on that one ... he'll *love* it, I'm sure.

RC
Paul Hyett
2005-01-28 07:14:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Singles
-------
You actually managed to find one?
Yes - I wasn't especially looking, but the one shop I went into had loads of
them.
One of a very few, I dare say!
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
The Manic Street Preachers don't even have *that* excuse, though.
No. As I mentioned recently, we're close to the fifth anniversary of 'Masses
Against the Classes', which was a deleted-on-the-day-of-release affair
Why was that?
Post by Chris Brown
and
was confidently expected to drop out of the charts faster than Iron Maiden.
Guinness mentions a Faithless/Dido single that was deleted after only a
couple of days, too. I still haven't heard that one.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
A colossal fall from #2 at well, as MSP beat their own 2 month old
record by dropping to #26.
I wouldn't put money on them staying in the 40 next week.
Will the even hang in the 75?
I'd expect so, because it would be so hard not to.
Given that it *isn't* a limited edition, you're probably right.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
#4 Athlete,
Their first Top Thirty hit, setting things up for the album at the end of
the month.
Another 'chart-high, drop-like-a-brick' album, no doubt.
EMI evidently don't think so.
It's worth noting that their debut set, Vehicles & Animals, never charted
especially high, but ended up selling remarkably well for a record without a
major hit single on it.
Ah, but the fact that it *didn't* blow out most of its sales in the
first couple of weeks is probably *why* it charted longer.
Post by Chris Brown
It's clearly the record company's intention that an
Athlete album that does have a big hit on it could be the Final
Straw/Parachutes/The Man Who of 2005.
Well obviously - but then *wanting* it, and it actually happening are
two different things...
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
and #6, the drop-dead-
gorgeous Lucie Silvas! :)
It's less of a surprise to see it
helping the album.
Loads of airplay - presumably R2 loves her.
They certainly do, which is why I have to hear it five times a day.
Ever thought of tuning to a different station then? :)
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks,
Any record than can sell steadily, especially now, is going to reap
chart rewards.
Oh, I agree entirely. It's the fact that anybody would ever have wanted to
pay money for this record that I have trouble with.
Strange as it may sound, some people actually *like* dance tracks... :)
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
'LP' charts? :)
It's the best way to avoid repeating the word "album".
What's wrong with the word 'album'?
Post by Chris Brown
It is available on vinyl, although I don't know how well it's selling on
that format.
How anyone can prefer vinyl to CD, escapes me. AFAICS, the only reason
to buy vinyl is if it carries tracks that the CD won't (and the fan is
an obsessive completist).
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Albums
------
The thing is, I usually *like* the Chemical Bothers stuff, but there's
just *something* about 'Galvanise' that puts me off.
Overexposure is the biggest problem for me, but the only element of the
track I ever liked was the string loop (which they presumably sampled). I
have mixed feelings about them - some of their stuff I really like and some
just leaves me cold.
Well, if I said the guest rapper was the final straw, I don't think
anyone would be too surprised. :)

I *can* get past a rap segment (Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love', Christina's
'Dirrty'), but I have to really really like the song/artist.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
I suspect the younger Simpson sister will also beat her best album
position next week, too. She seems to have more grey matter than her
sister,
Not a great acheivement.
Post by Paul Hyett
though J. is more attractive.
Can't say either of them does a great deal for me, but I also find Jessica
Simpson's rather vacant look disturbing.
I wouldn't say vacant - IMO she's like a young child desperately seeking
parental approval.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Simon Tyers
2005-01-28 16:23:29 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
No. As I mentioned recently, we're close to the fifth anniversary of 'Masses
Against the Classes', which was a deleted-on-the-day-of-release affair
Why was that?
Publicity, most likely. They'd just done a massive Millennium Stadium gig
at, yes, the Millennium Stadium and put out a non-album single as an attempt
at the first new number one of the millennium, which it got. It was trailed
as strictly limited edition, but there were quite a few thousand pressed in
the end.
Chris Brown
2005-01-30 19:45:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Singles
-------
No. As I mentioned recently, we're close to the fifth anniversary of 'Masses
Against the Classes', which was a deleted-on-the-day-of-release affair
Why was that?
Haven't you heard it? ;-)
No, actually it's what Simon said, a deliberate stunt. By announcing in
advance that no more stock would go onto the shelves after that first day,
they ensured that retailers would have plenty on the shelves, and encouraged
those who were intending to buy it to do so quickly. It also fit in with the
bands's stated intention of doing nothing public in the year 2000: apart
from releasing this material (which had obviously been recorded in 1999)
they were silent between their big New Year concert in Cardiff and their new
material in 2001.
Post by Paul Hyett
Guinness mentions a Faithless/Dido single that was deleted after only a
couple of days, too. I still haven't heard that one.
The only Faithless/Dido single I remember was 'One Step Too Far', which
didn't get close to Number One.
I know that 'Disco Machine Gun' by the Lo-Fidelity Allstars was deleted
after two days because of sample clearance problems, and I don't think it's
alone.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Will the even hang in the 75?
I'd expect so, because it would be so hard not to.
Given that it *isn't* a limited edition, you're probably right.
Even if it had been one, there are clearly still loads of copies left out
there.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
#4 Athlete,
Their first Top Thirty hit, setting things up for the album at the end of
the month.
Another 'chart-high, drop-like-a-brick' album, no doubt.
EMI evidently don't think so.
It's worth noting that their debut set, Vehicles & Animals, never charted
especially high, but ended up selling remarkably well for a record without a
major hit single on it.
Ah, but the fact that it *didn't* blow out most of its sales in the
first couple of weeks is probably *why* it charted longer.
Certainly, that effect is always going to be there with a comback record, in
that people who didn't discover the first album until the re-issue of
'Westside' or the Mercury nomination are likely to go for the new one sooner
(unless they didn't like it, presumably). But it seems distinctly possible
that people who hadn't even heard of them four months ago will now be
interested in the album because of 'Wires'.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
It's clearly the record company's intention that an
Athlete album that does have a big hit on it could be the Final
Straw/Parachutes/The Man Who of 2005.
Well obviously - but then *wanting* it, and it actually happening are
two different things...
Self-evidently - what was supposed to be the Parachutes/The Man Who of 2003
anyway? - but the very visible investment EMI have made here (in a way that
they haven't for, say, LCD Soundsystem) will make it more likely in the
short-to-medium term. There remains every possibility of it going
pear-shaped, but it seems to early to assume that.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
and #6, the drop-dead-
Post by Paul Hyett
gorgeous Lucie Silvas! :)
Loads of airplay - presumably R2 loves her.
They certainly do, which is why I have to hear it five times a day.
Ever thought of tuning to a different station then? :)
It's the office radio.
Even if it were my choice, I'd only end up tuning to Radio 1 and hearing the
Killers five times a day, or tuning into XFM and hearing everything five
times a day.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Despite there being 14 NE's, three records managed to climb : Uniting
Nations up 1 to #8 - its 5th climb in 9 weeks,
Oh, I agree entirely. It's the fact that anybody would ever have wanted to
pay money for this record that I have trouble with.
Strange as it may sound, some people actually *like* dance tracks... :)
It may sound stranger still, but there are dance tracks I like too.
However, it's always mistified me that there could be such demand for the
sort of dance track that consists of one line of an old record over and over
again, be it Eric Prydz, Lemon Jelly or this.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
'LP' charts? :)
It's the best way to avoid repeating the word "album".
What's wrong with the word 'album'?
There's nothing at all wrong with the word "album". The reason I try to
avoid repeating the word "album" is because of the risk that, if you need to
refer to several albums, or indeed to the same album repeatedly, as well as
to the album charts, you might find the word "album" cropping up rather a
lot.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
It is available on vinyl, although I don't know how well it's selling on
that format.
How anyone can prefer vinyl to CD, escapes me. AFAICS, the only reason
to buy vinyl is if it carries tracks that the CD won't (and the fan is
an obsessive completist).
Well we've had that conversation before.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Next Week
---------
Albums
------
The thing is, I usually *like* the Chemical Bothers stuff, but there's
just *something* about 'Galvanise' that puts me off.
Well, if I said the guest rapper was the final straw, I don't think
anyone would be too surprised. :)
No, I wouldn't. Now, I might have liked it more if he'd actually come up
with a proper rap instead of just saying "My finger is on the button".
Post by Paul Hyett
I *can* get past a rap segment (Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love', Christina's
'Dirrty'), but I have to really really like the song/artist.
The new Jennifer Lopez single?
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Can't say either of them does a great deal for me, but I also find Jessica
Simpson's rather vacant look disturbing.
I wouldn't say vacant - IMO she's like a young child desperately seeking
parental approval.
More like a goldfish that's had a blow to the head (don't try this at home
kids!)

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-30 20:34:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Guinness mentions a Faithless/Dido single that was deleted after only a
couple of days, too. I still haven't heard that one.
The only Faithless/Dido single I remember was 'One Step Too Far', which
didn't get close to Number One.
Yes, probably *because* it was deleted after 3 days.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Given that it *isn't* a limited edition, you're probably right.
Even if it had been one, there are clearly still loads of copies left out
there.
But how many people *want* it? From the pattern of their last two
singles, it is virtually *only* their hardcore fans who are buying their
singles.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Ever thought of tuning to a different station then? :)
It's the office radio.
Having a coffee 'accident' then? :)
Post by Chris Brown
It may sound stranger still, but there are dance tracks I like too.
However, it's always mistified me that there could be such demand for the
sort of dance track that consists of one line of an old record over and over
again, be it Eric Prydz, Lemon Jelly or this.
Well 'Call On Me's appeal is relatively simple to explain. :)

BTW, apparently Robbie is dating one of the blonde girls from Eric
Prydz's video.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
I *can* get past a rap segment (Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love', Christina's
'Dirrty'), but I have to really really like the song/artist.
The new Jennifer Lopez single?
It's OK, but I think they overdid the saxophone.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Can't say either of them does a great deal for me, but I also find Jessica
Simpson's rather vacant look disturbing.
I wouldn't say vacant - IMO she's like a young child desperately seeking
parental approval.
More like a goldfish that's had a blow to the head
I could make a crude joke about the words 'Jessica Simpson', 'blow' &
'head' in close proximity, but I'll refrain... :)
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-31 20:09:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Guinness mentions a Faithless/Dido single that was deleted after only a
couple of days, too. I still haven't heard that one.
The only Faithless/Dido single I remember was 'One Step Too Far', which
didn't get close to Number One.
Yes, probably *because* it was deleted after 3 days.
It spent three weeks on the Top 75, so they obviously didn't run out of
copies immediately. It might have had more to do with the fact that it was
an insipid waste of space that nobody even remembers now. And since neither
Faithless nor Dido had ever had a Number One on their own (apart from Dido's
one with Eminem) it was probably never on the cards.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Given that it *isn't* a limited edition, you're probably right.
Even if it had been one, there are clearly still loads of copies left out
there.
But how many people *want* it? From the pattern of their last two
singles, it is virtually *only* their hardcore fans who are buying their
singles.
So it seems, although 'twas not always that way. I'd be interested to see
how sales of these singles compare with their smaller chart hits before
1996. One obvious disadvantage of the short-term 3-formats-for-#5 deal is
that you're unlikely to get fans buying extra formats in later weeks.
But, of course, you don't need to sell *that* many to retain a Top 75
position at the moment, and this week they're at 46.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Ever thought of tuning to a different station then? :)
It's the office radio.
Having a coffee 'accident' then? :)
Considering we had the water turned off three days out of five last week,
chance'd be a fine thing. ;-)
Seriously, though, I do like Radio 2, and it's by far the least repetitive
station we've ever had on at work. It's just that that very lack of
repetition in general emphasises the few tracks they do overdo.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
It may sound stranger still, but there are dance tracks I like too.
However, it's always mistified me that there could be such demand for the
sort of dance track that consists of one line of an old record over and over
again, be it Eric Prydz, Lemon Jelly or this.
Well 'Call On Me's appeal is relatively simple to explain. :)
OK, I'll concede that it's fairly obvious why people bought that single; but
why were people buying it on the other formats? And why was it necessary to
play it on the radio?
I also hear that there are three competing tracks based on 'Waiting for a
Star to Fall' by Boy Meets Girl, a track that barely merited release once,
let alone four times.
Post by Paul Hyett
BTW, apparently Robbie is dating one of the blonde girls from Eric
Prydz's video.
A likely story.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
I *can* get past a rap segment (Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love', Christina's
'Dirrty'), but I have to really really like the song/artist.
The new Jennifer Lopez single?
It's OK, but I think they overdid the saxophone.
Steve Wright has been playing it, mate, but he's been playing a version
without the rap; unfortunately, they haven't actually edited it, they've
just turned that channel down, so you get this seemingly endless loop of the
saxophone (assuming it is a saxophone).

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-02-01 06:44:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Yes, probably *because* it was deleted after 3 days.
It spent three weeks on the Top 75, so they obviously didn't run out of
copies immediately.
It might well not have reached #1, but the deletion prevented anyone
ever finding out.
Post by Chris Brown
It might have had more to do with the fact that it was
an insipid waste of space that nobody even remembers now.
I've never even *heard* it! :(

And in any case, when did being an 'insipid, waste of space' ever stop a
record from becoming #1... :)
Post by Chris Brown
And since neither
Faithless nor Dido had ever had a Number One on their own (apart from Dido's
one with Eminem) it was probably never on the cards.
They've both had #1 albums - and Dido was *extremely* unlucky that White
Flag wasn't #1. In finishing runner-up to BEP's 'Where Is The Love', she
still sold more copies than any #1 from the previous 5 months.

In any case, I think a singles #1 for Dido is only a matter of time.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Having a coffee 'accident' then? :)
Considering we had the water turned off three days out of five last week,
chance'd be a fine thing. ;-)
Where *is* your office - outer Mongolia? :)
Post by Chris Brown
it's always mistified me that there could be such demand for the
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
sort of dance track that consists of one line of an old record over and over
again, be it Eric Prydz, Lemon Jelly or this.
Well 'Call On Me's appeal is relatively simple to explain. :)
OK, I'll concede that it's fairly obvious why people bought that single; but
why were people buying it on the other formats? And why was it necessary to
play it on the radio?
Because it was selling like hot-cakes?
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
BTW, apparently Robbie is dating one of the blonde girls from Eric
Prydz's video.
A likely story.
According to Sky News interactive, they met on the TOTP set.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
The new Jennifer Lopez single?
It's OK, but I think they overdid the saxophone.
Steve Wright has been playing it, mate, but he's been playing a version
without the rap
I haven't heard a version *with* rap - I've only seen the video.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-02-01 21:43:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Yes, probably *because* it was deleted after 3 days.
It spent three weeks on the Top 75, so they obviously didn't run out of
copies immediately.
It might well not have reached #1, but the deletion prevented anyone
ever finding out.
But unless you would expect it to have climbed to the top of the charts -
which was a truly exceptional event in 2002 - then the only way that
deletion could have been the deciding factor would be if there had been
enough demand for a chart-topper and they'd all sold out. If people were
still finding copies on the shelves over a fortnight after release, that
sort of rules that out.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
It might have had more to do with the fact that it was
an insipid waste of space that nobody even remembers now.
I've never even *heard* it! :(
Well, that's part of the point: tracks like 'Insomnia', 'God Is A DJ', 'We
Come 1' etc still get airplay (as do a lot of Dido tracks, but this one was
very much a Faithless single with Dido on it, not the other way round) but
this one decidely doesn't.
Post by Paul Hyett
And in any case, when did being an 'insipid, waste of space' ever stop a
record from becoming #1... :)
This is a fair point, but as a rule somebody somewhere has to have some
enthusiasm for it, even if it doesn't last long. In this case, though, the
record company obviously noticed that Dido was getting popular and decided
to release one of the many Faithless tracks she sang on as a single to cash
in.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
And since neither
Faithless nor Dido had ever had a Number One on their own (apart from Dido's
one with Eminem) it was probably never on the cards.
They've both had #1 albums - and Dido was *extremely* unlucky that White
Yes, but Faithless didn't have one until 2004, which is later than we're
talking about.
Post by Paul Hyett
Flag wasn't #1. In finishing runner-up to BEP's 'Where Is The Love', she
still sold more copies than any #1 from the previous 5 months.
I agree with all that, but again that was eighteen months or so later on,
and with pre-album single.
Post by Paul Hyett
In any case, I think a singles #1 for Dido is only a matter of time.
Probably so, especially once the downloads are integrated.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Having a coffee 'accident' then? :)
Considering we had the water turned off three days out of five last week,
chance'd be a fine thing. ;-)
Where *is* your office - outer Mongolia? :)
Wealdstone, which in some respects feels more remote.
There was a burst water main down the street. You know water companies have
special bottled water for people who lose their supply?
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Well 'Call On Me's appeal is relatively simple to explain. :)
OK, I'll concede that it's fairly obvious why people bought that single; but
why were people buying it on the other formats? And why was it necessary to
play it on the radio?
Because it was selling like hot-cakes?
But by your own reasoning, people weren't buying it for its musical merits.
;-)
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
BTW, apparently Robbie is dating one of the blonde girls from Eric
Prydz's video.
A likely story.
According to Sky News interactive, they met on the TOTP set.
Well if it's on Sky News Interactive... ;-)
I'm sure they have met, but my cynical side suggests that her PR agent wants
to ensure that people know her name instead of just calling her "Prydz Girl
Number 3"
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
The new Jennifer Lopez single?
It's OK, but I think they overdid the saxophone.
Steve Wright has been playing it, mate, but he's been playing a version
without the rap
I haven't heard a version *with* rap - I've only seen the video.
That'll be your overdone sax then. I'm surprised the rap's not in the video
(I guess there's another edit with it in anyway).
The only memorable thing about it is that whoever it is this time starts by
saying "J to the Lo," which I thought was a big no-no around her these days.

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-02-02 06:44:10 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
And in any case, when did being an 'insipid, waste of space' ever stop a
record from becoming #1... :)
This is a fair point, but as a rule somebody somewhere has to have some
enthusiasm for it, even if it doesn't last long. In this case, though, the
record company obviously noticed that Dido was getting popular and decided
to release one of the many Faithless tracks she sang on as a single to cash
in.
I wish I could hear it at least once, though.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
In any case, I think a singles #1 for Dido is only a matter of time.
Probably so, especially once the downloads are integrated.
Why would that make a difference? Unless the top positions were
extremely close, download sales probably wouldn't be a clincher.
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
BTW, apparently Robbie is dating one of the blonde girls from Eric
Prydz's video.
A likely story.
According to Sky News interactive, they met on the TOTP set.
Well if it's on Sky News Interactive... ;-)
I'm sure they have met, but my cynical side suggests that her PR agent wants
to ensure that people know her name instead of just calling her "Prydz Girl
Number 3"
Then why haven't the PR people named a lot more of the girls from that
video? Off course, it could be that their bodies are rather better known
that their faces... :)
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
I haven't heard a version *with* rap - I've only seen the video.
That'll be your overdone sax then. I'm surprised the rap's not in the video
(I guess there's another edit with it in anyway).
Just as well it isn't - I'd like the song less, in that case.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-02-02 20:30:39 UTC
Permalink
. In this case, though, the
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
record company obviously noticed that Dido was getting popular and decided
to release one of the many Faithless tracks she sang on as a single to cash
in.
I wish I could hear it at least once, though.
Well, it's still on the album. And I'm sure you could download it from
somewhere.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
In any case, I think a singles #1 for Dido is only a matter of time.
Probably so, especially once the downloads are integrated.
Why would that make a difference? Unless the top positions were
extremely close, download sales probably wouldn't be a clincher.
True, but download sales are more likely to go up than down, especially once
they become part of the chart. And Dido strikes me as a classic example of
an act who'd do even better on downloads than physical singles.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
BTW, apparently Robbie is dating one of the blonde girls from Eric
Prydz's video.
A likely story.
According to Sky News interactive, they met on the TOTP set.
Well if it's on Sky News Interactive... ;-)
I'm sure they have met, but my cynical side suggests that her PR agent wants
to ensure that people know her name instead of just calling her "Prydz Girl
Number 3"
Then why haven't the PR people named a lot more of the girls from that
video? Off course, it could be that their bodies are rather better known
that their faces... :)
I'm sure their names aren't a secret - they presumably get credited by name
on their exercise video.
But most people still aren't going to recognise the names, which is
obviously going to be a problem when they try to launch their careers as
presenters on digital TV.
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
I haven't heard a version *with* rap - I've only seen the video.
That'll be your overdone sax then. I'm surprised the rap's not in the video
(I guess there's another edit with it in anyway).
Just as well it isn't - I'd like the song less, in that case.
Well, it drowns out the sax a bit. ;-)

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-02-03 06:50:00 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
In any case, I think a singles #1 for Dido is only a matter of time.
Probably so, especially once the downloads are integrated.
Why would that make a difference? Unless the top positions were
extremely close, download sales probably wouldn't be a clincher.
True, but download sales are more likely to go up than down, especially once
they become part of the chart. And Dido strikes me as a classic example of
an act who'd do even better on downloads than physical singles.
I'm not so sure about that - on current evidence, the download chart
seems to be dominated by soft rock & R&B.

It's true that White Flag has charted there, even 18 months after
release, but until she releases another single, there's no way of
telling whether she'll be successful in that format.

What *is* already becoming clear, is that there is more scope for longer
chart runs - U2's Vertigo spent 14 weeks in the top 2, and even at just
2k a week, sales steadily mount up.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-02-03 19:08:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
In any case, I think a singles #1 for Dido is only a matter of time.
Probably so, especially once the downloads are integrated.
Why would that make a difference? Unless the top positions were
extremely close, download sales probably wouldn't be a clincher.
True, but download sales are more likely to go up than down, especially once
they become part of the chart. And Dido strikes me as a classic example of
an act who'd do even better on downloads than physical singles.
I'm not so sure about that - on current evidence, the download chart
seems to be dominated by soft rock & R&B.
Ah, but I was including her as one of the soft acts who dominate here - in
the sense that the download chart looks to me more like the airplay chart
than the sales one. Of course, for all we know people might get tired of her
by the time the third album comes out.

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-02-04 06:04:25 UTC
Permalink
In uk.music.charts on Thu, 3 Feb 2005, Chris Brown wrote :
[Re: Dido]
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
I'm not so sure about that - on current evidence, the download chart
seems to be dominated by soft rock & R&B.
Ah, but I was including her as one of the soft acts who dominate here - in
the sense that the download chart looks to me more like the airplay chart
than the sales one. Of course, for all we know people might get tired of her
by the time the third album comes out.
Not me - and I doubt the 2.5m+ who bought her first two albums have,
either.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-02-04 17:18:10 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
[Re: Dido]
Of course, for all we know people might get tired of her
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
by the time the third album comes out.
Not me - and I doubt the 2.5m+ who bought her first two albums have,
either.
Oh, that wasn't an OP - just a general observation of how you never can tell
in this business. I agree she's more likely than not to continue her massive
success for a good few years yet.

Personally, I got tired of her in about 2001... but that wasn't the
question. ;-)

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-02-09 06:08:04 UTC
Permalink
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Paul Hyett
And in any case, when did being an 'insipid, waste of space' ever stop a
record from becoming #1... :)
[Re: Faithless/Dido - One Step Too Far]
Post by Paul Hyett
Post by Chris Brown
This is a fair point, but as a rule somebody somewhere has to have some
enthusiasm for it, even if it doesn't last long. In this case, though, the
record company obviously noticed that Dido was getting popular and decided
to release one of the many Faithless tracks she sang on as a single to cash
in.
I wish I could hear it at least once, though.
Coincidentally, I *did* finally get to hear it yesterday. It was played
on TMF as part of a 'Best of Dido' segment.

Pleasant enough, but IMO would have worked better with Dido alone.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
Chris Brown
2005-01-25 19:30:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
AIUI, it's already the record for shortest Top 40 run - it's beaten Blur's
'Beetlebum'. The record for shortest Top 75 run stands at five weeks, IIRC -
To be precise here: 'Beetlebum' went 1-7-29-42-
'Jailhouse Rock' has just gone 1-10-50

Chris
Paul Hyett
2005-01-26 06:49:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Brown
Post by Chris Brown
AIUI, it's already the record for shortest Top 40 run - it's beaten Blur's
'Beetlebum'. The record for shortest Top 75 run stands at five weeks, IIRC -
To be precise here: 'Beetlebum' went 1-7-29-42-
'Jailhouse Rock' has just gone 1-10-50
Records have dropped right out of the top 75 from higher than One
Night's #20 position, so I wonder...

Of course, none of this Elvis business is about the songs themselves,
because any real fans would have them already - just about RCA milking
the fans again.
--
Paul 'US Sitcom Fan' Hyett
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