UK Chart Analysis, 4/8/2006

Gnarls Barkley sets a UK singles chart first, while Embrace scores yet another #1 album. Read the details below.


1. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

It was only a matter of time. As I've mentioned in previous analyses, the UK chart rules changed this year to allow tracks with a planned physical single release to chart one week in advance of such release solely on the merit of digital sales. Singles without a physical release--such as the upcoming Coldplay release "The Hardest Part" are still not chart eligible. Since the rules have changed, several tracks have debuted in middle chart positions and then jumped up into the top 10, including last week's #1 hit, which jumped from #18 where it debuted the previous week on the basis of its downloads.

This week then we have the first single to debut at #1 on the basis only of download sales. The physical single is released tomorrow, so expect an easy second week at #1. "Crazy" is Gnarls Barkley's first top 40 hit, but who is Gnarls Barkley? His Web site hints at his enigmatic origins, but also the pleasant fact that Danger Mouse is somehow involved. The real scoop is the Gnarls Barkley is a collaboration between Cee-lo and Danger Mouse. In any event, it's a pretty cool retro R&B/Hip-Hop track, and a big UK hit (it's also #1 on the airplay chart).

3. You Have Killed Me - Morrissey

A surprisingly high debut for Morrissey shows he's as hot as ever. He's now 16 years into his post-The Smiths solo career and shows no signs of slowing down as "You Have Killed Me" goes in at #3, tying his career-high placing set 2 years ago with "Irish Blood, English Heart." It's a decent track, although not really my thing.

6. Naive - The Kooks

They debuted last week at #28 on digital sales and this week score a top 10 hit with physical sales.

8. When You Wasn't Famous - The Streets

This is a bit disappointing, as I was sure this would be #1. For it to not even land in the top 5 shows that the Streets may be losing steam. I still think it's a great track--danceable, clever, funny. While artists eschew fame by whining about how awful it is, he throws his hat in the ring to complain about how when you're famous it's still hard to get girls that are famous too. Love it. "When You Wasn't Famous" is Mike Skinner's 4th top 40 hit.

12. Suffer Well - Depeche Mode

Third single from Depeche Mode's latest album is perhaps the best yet, and improves (deservedly) upon the #15 placing of their last single, "A Pain That I'm Used To."

17. The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson

Right.

19. One - Mary J. Blige and U2

"One" debuts at #19 based only at digital sales, so expect to see it in the top 10 next week.

21. All Sparks - Editors

They hit #10 with their last single "Munich," but no top 10 love for "All Sparks," even though it's great.

Albums:

Embrace scores another #1 album with This New Day, their fifth release. Massive Attack's greatest hits set, Collected, is in at #2. Hotly anticipated Yeah Yeah yeahs album, Show Your Bones, debuts at #7.