UK Chart Analysis, 2/18/2006

Dance music rules and Meck (Featuring Leo Sayer) tops the singles chart while Madonna spends a second week atop the airplay chart. And of course, Arctic Monkeys still have the #1 album. Duh. Click below for full comments.

Singles:

1. Thunder In My Heart - Meck Featuring Leo Sayer

A new #1 and a cool one too. It's an old school disco cut, remixed by Meck to bring it up to date for 2006. Leo Sayer was popular in the '70s, and had quite a few hits between 1973 and 1983, the biggest of which was the #1 "When I Need You," which was also a #1 hit in the US. "Thunder in My Heart" was a relatively slight release for him--hitting only #22 in 1977. Nearly 30 years later, and a faithful remix by Meck, and Sayer finally has a second #1.

7. You Got The Love - The Source Featuring Candi Staton

Second biggest new hit of the week slides in at #7. It it, of course, the re-released newly remixed track that I've been raving about for weeks now. I'm glad it made the top 10--I was skeptical considering that it's already been in the top 10 twice before--first time in 1991 where it hit #4 and then again in 1997 (remixed) where it went to #3. The new remix getting the most attention is the "New Voyagers" remix, which adheres close to the "Now Voyagers" remix from 1997. Also included in the current single is a "Shapeshifters" remix, best known for their #1 hit from 2004, "Lola's Theme." Finally, if you don't know this song but think it sounds familiar, chances are that you're a Sex and the City fan. The song is heard during the show's final moments where Carrie Bradshaw strolls down a Manhattan avenue after having lunched with the girls and received a call from "John," aka Mr. Big. The song works great there, and the new remixes of this timeless house track are welcome additions.

8. Sugar, We're Going Down - Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy took the US by storm over the last 6 months, scoring 2 top 10 hits with this cut and its follow-up, "Dance, Dance." Hotly anticipated in the UK, I'm actually surprised this didn't chart higher--some were predicting #1.

18. Grow - Kubb

Third single and second top 40 hit for Kubb becomes their biggest-topping "Wicked Soul," which hit #25 in November. The track is decent, but innocuous--somewhere in the vein of Snow Patrol or Athlete. Radio has taken a liking to it--it's #5 this week on the airplay chart. The band is really cute too, but maybe too clean cut for some tastes.

19. Do You Ever Think of Me - Antony Costa

The last member of Blue to attempt a solo careers becomes its lowest charting. Duncan James hit #2 in 2004 with "I Believe My Heart," Lee Ryan hit #3 with "Army of Lovers," and Simon Webbe's had 2 top 10 hits (#4s) with "Lay Your Hands" and "No Worries." Sadly, Costa, does not follow in his bandmates footsteps and manages only #19. The song is decent, but somewhat tepid, and no one thought he was a Lee Ryan or Simon Webbe talent wise. Sorry Costa--hope you've got a backup plan.

39 Turn This Thing Around - El Presidente

Pretty decent pop/rock/electronic cut. Surprised it charted so low. You should check it out.

Albums

Arctic Monkeys' Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not tops for a third week, while James Blunt moves up 1 to pole position with Back to Bedlam. Kelly Clarkson is up 5 to #5. Biggest new entry of the week is at #8, Belle & Sebastian with The Life Pursuit.

Airplay

Madonna is #1 for a second week with "Sorry," while Meck (Featuring Leo Sayer) moves up a spot to #2 with "Thunder in My Heart Again." Corrinne Bailey Rae also continues her ascent, up 1 to #4 with "Put Your Records On," set to be big hit when the single is released in 2 weeks.

Next week is kinda boring, the biggest new single is probably former Atomic Kitten Liz McLarnon's "Woman in Love." Also out are Goldfrapp's third Supernature single, "Ride a White Horse," and a new one from Friday Hill. It's the week after (2/20) that will really be interesting, when we get new singles from Westlife, Corinne Bailey Rae, Simon Webbe, The Darkness, and Madonna.