A posthumous release from the Notorious B.I.G. gives the dead rapper his first UK #1, while very much alive Arctic Monkeys take the album chart by storm with their debut release. Will Young remains at the top of the airplay chart for a second week. Click below to read more.
Singles:
1. Nasty Girl - The Notorious BIG Featuring Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge, and Avery Storm
Here's a surprise #1, for several reasons. First, the principal artist has been dead nearly 9 years now, yet manages to keep churning out hits from some mysterious back catalogue of material (2Pac manages a similar feat, well over 10 years since his death). Second, this single debuted at #2 last week and manages the rare feat of climbing up to #1. It happens every once in awhile--last I believe was James Blunt's climb to #1 with "You're Beautiful" last summer. This is the first #1 hit for The Notorious BIG, whose previous best was the #6 placing of "Mo Money, Mo Problems," a US #1.
9. Boys Will Be Boys - The Ordinary Boys
In the old days this would be a debut, but because of the integration of downloads and the rule that says a single can chart as long as its not over a year old, this track entered the top 40 two weeks ago based on early download sales before the re-release of the official single this week. Therefore, the "new" single climbes up from #30 to #9, the original having been released in June 2005. Of further interest here is that the lead singer, Preston, almost had no idea that he would have a top 10 hit this week. If the rules of reality TV are to be believed, Preston was until Friday in the Celebrity Big Brother house, and therefore lacked the knowledge of the outside world that would inform him that his band was releasing a single last week to cash in on his appearance on the show. I suppose it would easily squelch any bad feelings he may have had upon his eviction.
10. Analogue (All I Want) - A-Ha
Remember A-Ha? They were the '80s hitmakers responsible for "Take On Me," a #1 hit in the US and #2 in the UK. They also had a UK #1 at that time, "The Sun Always Shines on TV," and a string of 6 other top 10 singles that lasted until 1988. They kept at it in the '90s, completely forgotten in the US, but scored only a handful of top 10 hits. This week they're back with a hot new track that's their biggest hit in 18 years. Although not as blissfully poppy as "Take On Me," "Analogue" does manage to cash in on the retro trend a bit, even though it's sound is quite fresh. Good work.
15. Angel - Pharrell
This must be a disappointment. After scoring his highest charting hit ever (#3) with Gwen Stefani in December with "Can I Have It Like That," Pharrell's latest lands outside the top 10. I can't say I'm surprised, as it's really not that great.
24. This Time - Starsailor
Also disappointing is the low placement for Starsailor. Once critically acclaimed, there sound lately has turned too bland and this single, while okay, is really nothing special.
30. You Get What You Give - LMC Featuring Rachel McFarlane
Now this really is a surprise. LMC's first single, "Take Me to the Clouds Above," spent 2 weeks at #1 about 2 years ago. Surely this remake of New Radicals' "You Get What You Give" would have logically followed in its footsteps as at least a top 10 hit, but alas, it's not to be. Another victim in the current dance downturn. It will be interested to see how The Source Feat. Candi Staton fares in 2 weeks with the re-release of "You Got The Love," which still sounds fresh and has some great new remixes.
40. Fire - Ferry Corsten
Another decent dance track that is destined for the clearance bin, since the audience just isn't there at the moment.
Albums
Get out the champagne. Arctic Monkeys has the first major new hit album of the year with Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. Heralded as the new Oasis, Arctic Monkeys have taken the music world by storm over the last few months. The album sold a whopping 360,000 copies last week, breaking the record previously held by Hear'Say for best first week sales of a debut album. The record for overall first week sales still belongs to Oasis for their third album, Be Here Now. Arctic Monkeys have been around for some time, playing gigs and distributing their music on the web. With record deal in hand, the band had a surprise #1 hit last October with their first single, "I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor." They followed it up last week with a second #1, "When The Sun Goes Down." Now they have a huge huge album. Time well tell about the Oasis comparison though, as some reviews suggest the album is overhyped.
Almost forgettable with such a big #1 is the debut at #2 of Richard Aschroft's third solo album, Keys to the World. Ashcroft, formerly of The Verve, has crafted what is being called his most accessible effort yet, and features "Break the Night With Colour," a big airplay hit. Lame Daniel O'Donnell debuts at #5 with From Daniel With Love, billed as "A Collection of 20 Great Love Songs." Right. At #9 is a debut from The Kooks, Inside In/Inside Out. The Ordinary Boys, benefiting from a member's appearance on Celebrity Big Brother and the re-release of "Boys Will Be Boys" re-enters the chart at #22 with Brassbound, which previously peaked at #31. A-Ha is back and debuts at #24 with Analogue, which features current top 10 hit "Analogue (All I Want)."
Airplay:
Will Young spends a second week at #1 with "All Time Love," but it looks like his days are numbered, as a handful of contenders make big strides into the top 10. At #4, up from #15 is the disco-infused remix of "Thunder in My Heart Again" by Meck Featuring Leo Sayer. It's not out until Feb. 20, but Madonna's "Sorry," the follow-up to her massive "Hung Up," is already #5 in airplay, up from #27. Surely a strong bet for #1. Kubb had a minor top 40 last year, but look set to have a big one in "Grow," which moves up from #23 to #6. Beyonce moves up 3 spots to #7 with "Check on It" and Starsailor moves back into the top 10 at #10 with "This Time."
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