UK Singles Chart Analysis, 6/30/2007

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

It's a sixth week at #1 for Rihanna and "Umbrella." It's the longest stay at #1 for a single since last year's "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley ruled the roost for 9 weeks. It looks likely to stay at the top this weekend too, unless Cherry Ghost or the Klaxons can pull an amazing upset.

2. Any Dream Will Do - Lee Mead

Speaking of upsets, back in the day when event singles ruled the British charts, this single would have been assured of a #1 placing, coming off the back of a popular reality series, Any Dream Will Do, the search for a new lead for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Lee Mead, of course, was the show's winner, proudly debuting his first single, a song from the show. Personally, I'd like to see such influence lose its grip on the charts. How annoying is it that the Christmas #1 for the last couple of years has been some dreck from The X Factor?

7. Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors - The Editors

The Editors score a career high with "Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors," the lead single from their new album, An End Has a Start, making at 23 spot leap to #7, beating their previous best, the #10 placing from their first album's second single, "Munich." Critical reaction to the new Editors album is mixed--some say they've headed off into a more mature direction, while others say they're just aping Coldplay. The album gets a stateside release July 17.

12. Do It Again - Chemical Brothers

Chemical Brothers just miss out on the top 10, rising 11 spots to #12. It's from their forthcoming sixth album, We Are the Night.

17. I'd Wait for Life - Take That

Here's a big surprise, well sort of. Take That's third Beautiful World single outright flops upon its physical release, landing only at #17, breaking the band's six-single run of #1 hits and its 14-single run of top 10 hits. What went run? Radio support appears to a be a missing ingredient. "Patience" and "Shine" were both huge hits at radio--"Shine" in fact is still, currently #12 on the UK airplay chart, while "I'd Wait for Life" is way down at #37. Radio 1 never bothered to add it to its playlist, and Radio 2, where this should have found a cosy home, has it only on the B list. The Take That comeback was such an amazing feat, it's a bit of a surprise to see it fizzle so spectacularly.

18. Map of the Problematique - Muse

More surprises. Muse releases a fifth single from Black Holes and Revelations--as a download only single--and it still manages to outchart the fourth single, "Invincible," which did get a physical CD release. I actually really love this song, so it's nice to see it here.

21. Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake

JT's skipped over "Summer Love" in favor of "Lovestoned" for his fourth UK single from FutureSex/LoveSounds. It's debuting on downloads this week--pretty high--although I think it might not get a physical release. Interesting to see how high it goes.

22. Angel on My Shoulder - Gareth Gates

1-1-1-5-1-3-4-14-22. That's the trajectory of Gareth Gates' singles. Bye bye Gareth. It was nice knowing you. Don't let that record contract give you a paper cut as it's yanked from your fingers.

23. When You're Gone - Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne continues to climb with "When You're Gone," its physical release still a ways away. Could be a major hit for her--perhaps her first UK #1?

36. Grace - Simon Webbe

At least "Grace" made the top 40, after "My Soul Pleads for You" missed it. Still, there was a time we were debating where in the top 10 the former Blue man would land, not whether or not he'd make the top 40.