UK Chart Analysis, 12/10/2005

Singles:

1. Stickwitu - The Pussycat Dolls

The Pussycat Dolls score their second #1 single, knocking Madonna from the top spot. While their first single "Don't Cha" was a summer party anthem, "Stickwitu" is a traditional pop/R&B ballad. It's got a great bridge and shows that, in addition to having fun, these girls really can sing.

2. Let There Be Love - Oasis

At midweek, Oasis looked set this week to score their 3rd #1 single from their album Don't Believe The Truth, which would have been a first for the band. Instead they have to settle for #2, which isn't bad at all. It's their 19th consecutive top 5 hit and 6th #2 single. Surprisingly, the single does little to help sales of the album (it's up only 4 places to #47), which is one of the primary purposes of a single, in addition to selling itself.

7. Because of You - Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson gets her 4th top 10 single, 3rd from her current album Breakaway, which unlike Oasis' longplayer is selling well (it's #9 this week). The #7 entry of this single bests that of her last, the #9 hit "Behind These Hazel Eyes," but is still short of her biggest hit, "Since U Been Gone" (#5).

8. Albion - Babyshambles

Third top 10 hit for Babyshambles, the group fronted by former Libertines singer Pete Doherty. Not really of interest to me.

11. If It's Lovin' That You Want - Rihanna

After making a big splash at #2 earlier this year with her debut "Pon Da Replay," Rihanna just misses the top 10 with her second single. It's not as good either, and in fact, I'm surprised it's done this well.

12. Ever Blazin' - Sean Paul

Sean Paul lands outside the top 10, a first after having 7 consecutive top 10 hits, including appearing on Blu Cantrell's #1 hit "Breathe." Although not his highest charting hit, I still say his greatest moment was the #4 hit, "Get Busy."

34. Hospital Food - David Gray

After scoring the second biggest hit of his career with "The One I Love (#8), David Gray follows it up with his second-lowest, debuting only one place higher than his lowest-charting single, "The Other Side" (#35, 2002). This is a surprisingly poor showing, as it's a decent track and got a fair amount of airplay. Still, as evidenced by the fact that he's had only 2 top 10 singles, it is clear that he is an albums artist.

35. Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros

Icelandic group Sigur Ros (Victory Rose) earns their first top 40 hit with Hoppipolla, a lovely piano and rock number that is both slightly off-kilter and endearing.

Albums:

Eminem's greatest hits collection, Curtain Call, gives the rapper his 4th UK #1 album and knocks Madonna off the top spot. G4 debuts at #6 with their second album, G4 & Friends; their debut, G4, was a #1 album in March of this year. The biggest shock of the week is the low placing of the new album from The Darkness, One Way Ticket to Hell, which manages only a #11 placing. Their single, "One Way Ticket," similarly underperformed when it debuted at #8 two weeks ago.

Airplay:

She may have been knocked from #1 on the singles and albums charts, but Madonna reigns at #1 for a fifth week on the airplay chart with "Hung Up." Oasis moves up to #2 with "Let There Be Love," and Robbie Williams moves into the top 5 at #5 with "Advertising Space."