UK Chart Notes

• For yet another week, Leona Lewis maintains her hold atop the British charts, once again topping the singles, albums, and airplay charts. Now extending its run atop the singles chart to 7 weeks, "Bleeding Love" becomes the longest-running #1 hit by a British female act. The longest running #1 hit by any female is Whitney Houston's 1992 remake of "I Will Always Love You," which spent 10 weeks at #1. Leona's album Spirit spends a 4th week at #1 in the albums chart, becoming the longest-running #1 album of the year, ending what had been a 4-way tie between albums spending 3 weeks at the top by Take That, Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys, and Paul Potts.
• With Leona out of the way, I can focus on the other chart news of the week, the biggest being that with the download rules instituted this year, the December charts are being assaulted by Christmas singles like never before. Making the biggest splash is Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," climbing 15 spots to #8 this week. The single spent 3 weeks at #2 when it was first released in 1994. That it can still chart in the top 10 13 years later is a testament to its popularity as perhaps the only seasonal song of the last 15 years that's become a certified classic.
• The Pogues also make a strong move with their seasonal favorite, "Fairytale of New York," up 21 spots to #12 this week. This track also hit #2 when it was first released in 1987, but unlike Carey's received official re-releases over the last couple years, hitting #3 in 2005 at #6 last year.
• Dance act Cascada lands at #16 on downloads with "What Hurts the Most." The song was first recorded by US country singer Mark Willis for his 2003 album, but became a hit last year when Rascal Flatts covered it. Now it gets a high-energy Eurodisco retread from German dance act that conquered charts worldwide with "Everytime We Touch." Look for this in the top 10 next week.
• Arctic Monkeys land their lowest-charting single yet at #20 with "Teddy Picker," the third single lifted from their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare. Until now, they've actually never landed outside the top 5, hitting #1 with their first two singles.
• Finally, lots of other Christmas tracks in the lower half of the top 40: Wham at #23 with "Last Christmas," Andy Williams is at #25 with "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," Wizzard at #27 with "I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday," Shakin' Stevens at #33 with "Merry Christmas Everyone," and Band Aid at #38 with "Do They Know It's Christmas."