UK Singles Chart, 2/23/2008

Great chart this week:

1. Mercy - Duffy

British newcomer Duffy ends the 5-week run at the top for Swedish dance act Basshunter. "Mercy" is Duffy's first major hit, following the limited release last year of "Rockferry." Comparisons with another current newcomer, Adele, are inevitable. Both have been compared to Amy Winehouse, although I think Duffy is more deserving of that. Both put out limited releases late last year followed by big releases early this year. Adele was #1 on the BBC Sounds of 2008 list; Duffy was #2. A rivalry is surely in the making.

While Adele appeared to have the early advantage, Duffy strikes back this week big time, topping both the UK sales and airplay charts. While Adele's "Chasing Pavements" was kept from #1 by a widely derided import dance single, Duffy kicks that single to the curb this week--and on digital sales to boot. The single gets its full release next week. "Mercy" is an awesome track: a stompin' '60s throwback in the Phil Spector or Nancy Sinatra tradition. Duffy's album, Rockferry, is out March 3.

2. Rockstar - Nickelback

Nickelback holds a second week at #2. Had it not been for Duffy, they could have had their first UK #1 hit. It's status as their biggest single is pretty much assured at this point.

4. Sun Goes Down - David Jordan

David Jordan ascends another spot with his international-sounding "Sun Goes Down."

7. What's It Gonna Be - H two O featuring Platnum

Oooh! A dance track. "What's It Gonna Be" debuts at #7 this week on downloads, ahead of its physical release this week. The song sounds very late '90s/early '00s. But really, doesn't all House-based dance music?

9. I Thought It Was Over - The Feeling

The Feeling climbs three spots to #9, which will probably be their peak, as the single is now fully released. This is their fourth single to land in the #7 to #10 range. While that's certainly resepectable, this doesn't become the big hit they were probably hoping for, despite topping the airplay chart last week. Their second album, Join With Us, is out today.

10. A&E - Goldfrapp

Also fully released and perhaps not the hit they were hoping for is "A&E," first single from Goldfrapp's forthcoming The Seventh Tree, out next Monday. The gentle song is a departure from the hard-hitting electro-pop sound that dominated releases from their last two albums. That doesn't make it any less enjoyable though, and this is perhaps their most radio friendly single to date.

11. Stop and Stare - OneRepublic

Tipped to become their second big hit is "Stop and Stare," the follow-up to OneRepublic's Timbaland collaboration, "Apologize," which became an international smash late last year and is still hanging around the chart at #20 this week. "Stop and Stare" debuts at #11 on downloads, 3 weeks ahead of its CD release.

40. Low - Flo Rida ft. T-Pain

The single that has spent the last 2 months at #1 in the US makes its UK debut this week. Look for it to rise until its CD release on March 3rd.

Next week, fully released singles from Kylie Minogue (finally) and H two O will compete with Duffy for #1. Also look for Craig David and Out of Office to score top 40 hits.