UK Chart Analysis, 1/1/2006

Very unusual last chart for 2005. Normally, there's not much going on here, as positions stay pretty the same as what happened the week before Christmas, as stores are closed part of the time and there are no new major releases. However, this being the first time that downloads have factored into the last chart of the year, the story is quite different. It should come as no surprise that iPods and other portable MP3 players were popular gifts, resulting in a surge of downloads last week from new users. Who benefited? The big acts of 2005, such as Sugababes, James Blunt, and Kelly Clarkson, who all saw their current and previous releases make big strides on the chart.

1. That's My Goal - Shayne Ward

No surprise here--a second week at #1 for The X Factor winner, Shayne Ward. It's two-week tally was enough to make it the second best-selling single of the year.

3. Hung Up - Madonna

The first download beneficiary. After falling to #8 last week, which looked like it would be the last week in the top 10 for this track, Madonna jumps back up 5 places, earning an 8th week in the top 10. One more week and she'll tie her longest-running top 10 hit, "Vogue," which spent 9 weeks in the top 10 in 1990 (technically, "Crazy For You" spent 10 weeks, but that's spread over 2 releases of the track). This is a great longevity run for Madonna, whose last five top 10 singles all spent only 1 week in the top 10. Even Music, her last #1 hit (and a major one), spent only 3 weeks in the top 10.

4. When I'm Gone - Eminem
6. Stickwitu - The Pussycat Dolls

Madonna is one of three acts to move up within the top 10; Eminem's "When I'm Gone" moves up 1 to a new peak at #4 and The Pussycat Dolls' former #1 "Stickwitu" moves up a notch to #6.

7. My Humps - Black Eyed Peas
8. Ugly - Sugababes
9. Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt

Three singles move up into the top 10, one for the first time. Black Eyed Peas make the biggest move, up 6 to #7 with "My Humps." Sugababes first of two movers on the chart this week are up 4 with "Ugly," their former top 10 hit. And James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover," which debuted last week at #11, moves up 2 to #9 to become his second top 10 hit.

11. George Best, A Tribute - Brian Kennedy

Moving up 10 places to just miss the top 1o is Brian Kennedy's EP tribute to George Best. The single was available only in Northern Ireland last week, which allowed it to debut at #21.

13. Because of You - Kelly Clarkson
36. Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson

Another downloads benificiary, Kelly Clarkson sees her current single "Because of You" move up 4 to #13, and her summer single, "Since U Been Gone" re-enter the top 10 at #36. Her album, Breakaway, also did quite well this week, moving up 5 places to #3.

14. Cash Machine - Hard-Fi

Finally, a new release! Hard-Fi scores their fourth top 40 hit with "Cash Machine," which actually disappoints by missing the top 10 in what would usually be considered an easy week for a developing group like them. This is actually a re-release, as it was their first single, but it failed to chart at all when released a year ago. Since then they've had three other top 40 hits, including the top 10 "Hard to Beat." Hard-Fi is a great act, finally getting their due. The parent album, Stars of CCTV, made a spectacular 29 spot leap to #4 this week on the albums chart.

16. You're Beautiful - James Blunt
17. I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys
19. Push the Button - Sugababes

A trio of download benificiaries in the lower quarter of the top 20. James Blunt re-enters the top 40 at #16 with "You're Beautiful," the year's bigest non-novelty single. Arctic Monkeys move up 8 places to #17 with their former #1 hit. And the Sugababes, now minus Mutya but plus Amelle, re-enter the top 40 with their former #1, "Push the Button."

21. Bad Day - Daniel Powter
23. Don't Cha - The Pussycat Dolls
29. Gold Diggger - Kanye West
37. Fix You - Coldplay
39. I Predict a Riot - Kaiser Chiefs

You wouldn't be considered a fool for mistaking this week's chart for the year-end one, as these five singles--all big hits earlier this year, make big leaps and re-entries this week. It will be a few weeks before any major releases. Richard Ashcroft is out Jan. 9; Arctic Monkeys and Will Young on Jan. 16. And of course next month will begin the re-release of Michael Jackson singles, starting Feb. 20 with "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" and "Thriller." Will it work like Elvis did last year? We'll see.

Albums

Eminem earns a 5th week at #1 for his greatest hits collection, Curtain Call, holding off James Blunt's Back to Bedlam at #2. I already mentioned the big moves for Hard-Fi and Kelly Clarkson, but Kaiser Chiefs, without a current single, also re-enter the top 10 with Employment, moving up 9 places to #7. Biggest surprise of the week: Robbie Williams at #5, not with Intensive Care, but with last year's Greatest Hits. Perhaps it was on sale?