UK Single Chart Analysis, 5/26/2007

1. Umbrella - Rihanna (feat. Jay-Z)

It's a surprise #1 for Rihanna this week, who earns her first #1 hit with "Umbrella," which gets its physical release today. As such, it's only the third single to reach #1 on downloads only, following last year's "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley and Mika's "Grace Kelly" from earlier this year. It must certainly be a satisfying chart-topper for Rihanna, who thus far has played second fiddle three times with "Pon Da Replay," "SOS," and "Unfaithful," all of which made #2 (for 2 weeks each).

2. Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5

This then was the expected #1, the return after a 2-year hiatus for US rock band Maroon 5. The band scored five top 40 hits from their first album between January 2004 and April 2005 including top 10 hits "This Love" (#3) and "She Will Be Loved" (#4). At #2, "Makes Me Wonder" becomes their biggest hit, but #1 still eludes them.

4. Signal Fire - Snow Patrol

The career bests keep coming this week with the highest-charting single yet from Snow Patrol. They'd been around for years before hitting it big in 2004 with "Run," which hit #5. Last year, they followed it up with two bigger hits, which, although charting lower, displayed amazing chart longevity. First there was rocking "You're All I Have" (#7), and then, the hit of their career, "Chasing Cars" (#6), which has been basically ubiquitous for the last 8 months, and remains on the chart. "Signal Fire" reaches a new peak at #4, although I doubt it will reach the classic status of "Chasing Cars" or even their other two top 10 hits. It comes courtesy of the soundtrack for Spider-Man 3.

5. Here (In Your Arms) - HelloGoodbye

This retro, dancy pop/rock song reached #14 in the US earlier in the year, and I was surprised it wasn't a bigger hit. That it becomes one in the UK should be no surprise, as it fits in nicely alongside the lot of retro/pop/rockish tracks that have been big lately.

10. Shine - Booty Luv

Second top 10 hit for Booty Luv, who hit #2 in December with "Boogie 2Nite." "Shine" is decidedly so-so as dance pop goes, so it's a real disappointment (and head scratcher) that it beats out a superior dance-pop track down at #23.

11. Real Girl - Mutya Buena

Bet your money this will be sitting on top of the pile last week, despite the rather heavy competition it will face from Rihanna and Maroon 5. Mutya was one of the founding members of the Sugababes, the coolest, if not most successful, British girl group of the last 7 years. Hers was the voice considered the heart of the group, seeing them through #1 hits like "Freak Like Me," "Hole in the Head," and "Push the Button." Around the time "Ugly" was released in December 2005, she announced she was leaving the group, and was replaced by Amelle Berrabah by the time the group's next single, "Red Dress" was released. Everyone expected Mutya to launch her own solo career, and, given her cred, it is satisfying to see it launched in such a classy manner. First up was the teaser--a duet with George Michael for his greatest hits album single, "This Is Not Real Love" (#15 in November). Now we have the real deal in "Real Girl," a winning pop single built around the strings arrangement from Lenny Kravitz's "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over." It debuts on downloads this week.

23. Me and My Imagination - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

After a hiatus of over 3 years, dance/pop act Sophie Ellis-Bextor tried to reboot her career this year. First up was "Catch You," a more pop/rock affair that made #8. "Me and My Imagination" follows, and represents a delicious return to the disco/dance sound of her earliest hits. But sadly, the pubic isn't buying this time, as the track--even with physical sales--manages only #23, her lowest chart placing ever. Sad sad sad.