A deserving track surprisingly hits #1 and Corinne Bailey Rae returns to the roost on the albums chart while continuing to top the airplay chart. Click below to read more
UK Singles:
1. No Tomorrow - Orson
It's always exciting when a track manages to actually climb to #1, since the bulk of UK #1s debut in the top spot. Even more exciting when the #1 song is actually deserving to be at the top. After suffering two weeks of the dreadful Chico single, American rock band Orson reaches the summit after debuting at #5 two weeks ago and rising to #2 last week their first single, "No Tomorrow." Orson have yet to break in the US yet--testing the waters abroad isn't a novel idea--but surely they will be big once "No Tomorrow" hits stateside. It would sounds perfect for frat house parties, sunny days at the beach, twenty-something urban hipster nights, and--crucially--top 40 radio. Who cares that they're being called this year's Maroon 5; Let the onslaught begin.
3. Pump It - Black Eyed Peas
My comment above that singles rarely climb to top the UK chart may soon become anachronistic, as new chart rules that went into effect recently allow singles to debut on the chart the day before they are released as a physical single--hence they would chart in their first
week based solely on download sales. Since physical sales still outpace downloads, this will inevitably lead to a lot of singles debuting low on the chart and leaping up during their second week--their first week of physical sales. The first major beneficiary of the new policy are the Black Eyed Peas, who debuted last week at #16 (downloads only) and this week climb 13 spots to #3 (downloads and discs). Too bad it isn't a more worthy track. I'm not a fan of this group, but surely even fans would be disappointed in "Pump It," an uninspired retread of "Miserlou." In bleaker news, their fifth Monkey Business single, "Gone Going," is already getting heavy airplay in the US, so look for it in the UK soon. I really wish they would "get going."
6. Whole Lotta History - Girls Aloud
Girls aloud have the highest pure debut of the week with "Whole Lotta History," their 12th top 40 single and 12th straight to make it into the top 10. At #6, this is actually the second-highest charting entry from their third album Chemistry--the highest being the #4 peak reached by "Biology" in November. Overall, the Chemistry singles have been somewhat lacking, especially in the charts department, given that #4 was the lowest a Girls Aloud single had charted prior to the first release from this album. Of note, however, is the rapid-fire way they're released singles from this disc--this is the fourth single from the album in less than 7 months, and with 3 months separating this and their previous release, "See The Day," this is actually the longest they've waited to release a follow-up from this album. Only 1 month separated "Biology" and "See The Day."
11. Make a Move On Me - Joey Negro
I haven't been able to hear this song, and I'm quite curious. It debuts at #11 this week. Anyone heard it?
13. One Wish - Ray J
Brandy's brother debuts at #13 with "One Wish." Yippee.
15. Beat It - Michael Jackson
Surely the Michael Jackson music house thought re-releasing his back catalogue would result in a slew of #1s or at least top 10s like we had with Elvis last year. Whatever. Beat It debuts at #15, lower than "Billie Jean," which managed #11 last week. Beat It was originally a #3 hit in April 1983.
16. Piece of My Heart - Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight has never had a major hit--her 2 top 10 hits peaked at #9 and #10--despite being critically acclaimed and garnering a good deal of airplay. "Piece of My Heart" isn't the greatest song, but she does a good job with this remake and actually makes me like it a bit. Not as good as last year's offering though, the fabulous "Keep This Fire Burning." It's her 13th top 40 single, and is from her forthcoming greatest hits album. If she's new to you, check out "Come As You Are," "Shoulda Woulda Coulda," and "Keep This Fire Burning." She's worth it.
17. Live With Me - Massive Attack
At #17 it's another "we gotta have a new track" single from an established artist's greatest hits collection. This time it's Massive Attack with "Live With Me," their 11th top 40 hit and precursor to their forthcoming hits collection, Collected. Like Beverley Knight, Massive Attack are well-known and critically acclaimed, but have never had a major hit. Their highest charting hit was the #10 "Teardrop" from 1998, a very very cool track. Their best known is probably 1991's "Unfinished Sympathy," which showed up on the 1993 soundtrack to the movie Sliver.
18. So Sick - Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo debuts at #18 this week, the highest downloads-only debut this week--watch for it to move up big next week, maybe even to #1. "So Sick" is already a big hit in the US--a former Billboard Hot 100 #1.
20. Fly - Hilary Duff
This was a minor US hit 2 years ago, finally getting a UK release. Next.
21. Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson
The Kelly Clarkson hit machine finally hits a snag in the UK. After 3 straight top 10s, "Walk Away" her fouth Breakaway single in the UK (fifth in the US) manages only #21. Perhaps it's time to walk away and come up with something new Kelly. We love you, but overexposure is a danger.
23. Wisemen - James Blunt
Speaking of overexposure, James Blunt's 4th (sort of) single debuts this week at #23. I say sort of, because this charted over a year ago as his second single, although it failed to hit the top 40 (making only #44). Thinking it could do better now that he's mega-famous, Blunt has re-released his second single. This is the second time he's done this. "High" was originally his first single, released in late 2004, and didn't chart at all, until its October 2005 re-release, which saw it hit #16. Whether or not you like him (I happen to be on his good side), at least he's good for interesting chart trivia.
UK Albums:
Corinne Bailey Rae is back at #1 and Placebo debuts at #7 with Meds. Not much else of interest going on here.
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