Sunday, September 10, 2006

UK Singles Chart Analysis, 9/16/2006

1. I Don't Feel Like Dancin' - Scissor Sisters

I love it! The most exciting #1 single of the year so far, at least for me. Scissor Sisters are fantastic, and while their first album spent several weeks atop the UK albums chart, their singles never performed as well, their previous best being the #5 peak of "Filthy/Gorgeous." "I Don't Feel Like Dancin," despite its title, is the Scissor Sisters most energetic dance/pop throwback yet, featuring Jake Shears' falsetto and a Shears/Babydaddy production that sounds like an ode to the BeeGees.

3. Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado (featuring Timbaland)

In a stiff week of competition, Nelly Furtado has to settle for a #3 placing for "Promiscuous," her second UK single from current album Loose. It lands just 1 spot below her buddy Justin Timberlake's latest hit, "Sexyback," which, like this track, is a Timbaland production. Timberlake even appears in the "Promiscuous" video. Despite not hitting #1, which it did in the US a few months ago, this is still Furtado's second-biggest UK hit, below her last single, the #1 "Maneater."

4. Rudebox - Robbie Williams

Also suffering a lower than might be expected chart placing is Robbie Williams. "Rudebox" is the lead single from Robbie's upcoming 6th album, Rudebox 74. Most of his album's first singles have hit #1 or #2, the big exception before now being Escapology's 2002 lead single "Feel," which also hit #4. "Rudebox" is a departure for Williams, many would say in the wrong direction, as it features him "rapping" during the choruses and has an electronic background. While I don't mind the song, it does sound like it was put together pretty quickly, although I doubt that was the case. It pales in comparison to his last album's debut single, "Tripping," which hit #2 about a year ago. The singles releases from Williams has felt mismanaged lately. "Advertising Space" appeared only 2 months after "Tripping," which hadn't even fallen out of the top 40 yet. Then there was an almost 6 month gap before "Sin Sin Sin" appeared, and charted quite poorly.

6. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

Despite a good chunk of high-profile releases, Snow Patrol manages to stay in the top 10 another week--not only that, they climb another spot to a new peak position at #6. Plus, their album, Eyes Open, climbed back to #1 on the UK albums chart this week. Who would have thought that 2006 would be the year Snow Patrol would become a chart powerhouse?

7. It's Not That Easy - Lemar

Lemar, once the 2nd runner-up in the 2002 edition of Fame Academy, returns this week with the lead single from his third album. Winner David Sneddon and runner-up Sinead Quinn are basically forgotten by now, but Lemar has managed to put together quite the pop career. His last album did well with major hit and airplay staple "If There's Any Justice," released at the end of 2004. "It's Not That Easy" is another great soul pop record, and it's a shame it didn't make the top 5, as it's quite decent.

9. Never Be Lonely - The Feeling

I guess I feel a little bit better about this now. I was upset this made only #12 last week, so it's nice to see it climb into the top 10, surpassing the peak of their last single "Fill My Little World." Seems to be an emerging trend that rock singles getting good airplay will actually climb up the chart after their physical release sales week. Who knew?

13. Starlight - Muse

Which might be the ticket for Muse to score another top 10. Their last single, "Supermassive Black Hole" peaked at #4, but didn't have nearly the airplay this track is getting. "Starlight" is a great rock single, with a nice piano backing. It would be cool to see this climb into the top 10 next week.

28. Something About You - Jamelia

R&B/Pop sensation Jamelia is back, charting at #28 this week on downloads sales. Should easily go top 10 next week, although it will have to battle obnoxious Fergie's "London Bridge" (#25 this week).

30. Lucy - Jealousy

This is a cool song and should be charting higher. I especially like the remix.

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