UK Chart Analysis, 6/3/2006

1. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley

So it’s a 9th week at #1 for Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” Is there an end in sight? Apparently yes, and this could be it. The record company has decided to delete the single, removing it from their sales catalogue, so shops will only have remaining supplies to sell. Also, as the new rules state, deleted singles can only remain on the chart for 2 more weeks, so after next week, there will be no more “Crazy” on the chart at all. I’m hoping for Keane to finally unseat Gnarls come next Sunday.

2. I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker with Flowers in My Hair – Sandi Thom

Earlier this year, struggling singer Sandi Thom decided to stop playing clubs and instead perform from her flat via webcam. First night brought only 70 viewers, but by the middle of her second week of “gigs,” she had an audience of over 160,000—greater than the capacity of Wembley Stadium. Since then she’s become a hot property, signed with RCA, and how has her first single, at #2 no less.

5. Country Girl – Primal Scream

It’s a return to form for Primal Scream, the British indie rock band that first charted in 1990 at #16 with “Loaded.” Since then they’ve scored about 20 top 40 hits and a couple of top 10s, but this is their highest-charting entry. They haven’t had a hit at all for 4 years, so fans were rabid for something new and good, and the band delivered.

6. Nine2Five – Ordinary Boys vs. Lady Sovereign

Let’s set the stage. Two years ago Ordinary Boys hit the scene, scored a few top 20 hits, but didn’t appear destined for greatness. Last year, amidst rumblings that she was the “next big thing” in rap, Lady Sovereign appeared with a worthy single, “9 to 5,” which limped into the chart at #33, a sore disappointment. One of the remixes of the track was from the barely known band Ordinary Boys, whose ska sound fit well with Lady Sovereign’s track. Fast forward to this year, one of Ordinary Boys appears on Big Brother, the band subsequently re-releases “Boys Will Be Boys,” which catapults the band to fame as the single climbs the chart to #3. Now that they’re famous, why not share the wealth with Ms. Sovereign and release a proper new version of “9 to 5,” hence with have “Nine2Five,” the first top 10 hit for Lady Sovereign and the second for Ordinary Boys. Done deal.

7. Up All Night – Matt Willis

Between 2002 and 2004, boy/rock band Busted scored 8 top 3 hits, including 4 #1s. Despite such great success, the band split 2 years ago to pursue other projects. First Charlie came out with band Fightstar, hitting #9 with “Paint Your Target,” and them James scored with his band Son of Dork, hitting #3 with “Ticket Outta Loserville.” Landing between those peaks is third member Matt Willis, going solo rather than with a new band, but easily the most recognizable of the group, since he was the unofficial lead voice. He’s got a stomper of an 80s-inspired hit, quite good actually.

8. Teenage Life – Daz Simpson

Daz was this year’s UK entry in Eurovision. Lost, of course. And now we’re tortured by his single, which despite being the first top 10 hit by a UK Eurovision contestant since 1999, manages to sound like rubbish.

10. Fill My Little World – The Feeling

Rounding out the crop of strong top 10 movers (in the old days it would have been 6 debuts, but under current rules only Matt Willis is a debut, as everyone else charted last week on downloads) is the 2nd top 10 hit for The Feeling. I predicted great success for them upon the release of “Sewn,” #7 earlier this year, and still think they will be big. This a great follow-up, it’s #3 on the airplay chart, and their album comes out next week. Can’t wait!

14. Everybody’s Gone to War – Nerina Pallot

This is disappointing—I thought for sure this would be a top 10 hit (if not a contender for #1). It’s a great song, and it’s gotten massive airplay (it’s #4 this week). Too bad Nerina.

15. Is It Any Wonder? – Keane

Keane gets a big push from its first week digital sales to land at #15, putting them in excellent position to leap into the top 10 next week—possibly to #1.

19. Who Knew – Pink

Also coming in on downloads is Pink’s second single from current album I’m Not Dead. “Who Knew” is another winner for her, and should hit the top 10 next week.

22. Sin Sin Sin – Robbie Williams

Ouch! What happened here? Robbie Williams is a UK hit machine, but lands at a lowly #22 with “Sin Sin Sin.” And no, this isn’t on just downloads—this was its official first week of physical sales. This is Robbie’s 25th single, a collection that includes 6 #1s, and up until now, only 1 that didn’t go top 10 (1997’s #14 single, “South of the Border).” Who messed up? I think, for one, that they waited way too long to follow-up “Advertising Space,” (#8 last December), which got over-played on the radio, and wore people out. “Sin, Sin, Sin” isn’t a bad song, but it’s not that exciting either. I wonder if a 4th Intensive Care single will be forthcoming?

27. Heal the World – Michael Jackson

This one was also a real sore spot. The lowpoint of the Dangerous album, but yet Michael seems to have an affinity for it, since despite not even hitting the top 10 in the US, it was included in his 1995 History collection.

30. Upside Down – Jack Johnson

It’s a second top 40 hit for Jack Johnson, following the #24 release of “Better Together.” This one from the Curious George soundtrack.

37. Faster Kill Pussycat – Oakenfold Featuring Brittany Murphy

Paul Oakenfold, famous for “Starry Eyed Surprise,” is back, on downloads this week, and yes, that is the actress from Uptown Girls.

Crowded field next week… New singles from Keane, Pink, Oakenfold, Corinne Bailey Rae, Ronan Keating, and Loleata Holloway.