UK Singles Chart, 5/10/2008

1. 4 Minutes - Madonna and Justin Timberlake

It's Madonna and Justin for a third week with "4 Minutes." That's just one week shy of Madonna's longest run at #1. Both "Into the Groove" and "Vogue" spent 4 weeks at the top. Wouldn't it be cool if 4 minutes could go 4 weeks at #1? People would talk about it 4 days. Madonna actually does a double this week, also debuting at #1 on the UK albums chart.

2. Black and Gold - Sam Sparro
3. Wearin' My Rolex - Wiley

The competition for #2 was very tight this week. In fact, according to available midweek sales data, only 11 copies separated these two on Wednesday, at which point Wiley was ahead. In the end, Sam Sparro pulls out a third week at #2. Wiley, however, may still get the upper hand. With his single out in stores Monday, he's a strong contender for #1 next week.

4. Love in This Club - Usher Featuring Young Jeezy

The physical release of "Love in This Club" gives Usher's latest single a boost into the top 5, giving him his 10th top 5 hit. Not bad, but still a disappointment in comparison to having seen the first two singles from his last album hit #1, someplace I don't this single going.

9. Propane Nightmares - Pendulum

Australian band Pendulum scores their first top 10 hit this week with "Propane Nightmares." The band has had three top 40 hits previously, the biggest of which, "Gravity," peaked at #29. Originally from Perth, Australia, the band now hails from the UK.

15. We Cry - The Script

I was hoping for bigger things for Irish newcomers The Script, who manage to make only #15 upon the physical release of their first single, "We Cry."

20. Sweet About Me - Gabriella Cilmi

This has been on the UK singles chart for 9 weeks now, but this week finally climbs into the top 20. How old school.

24. Cops and Robbers - Hoosiers

The Hoosiers makes an unusual 11 week jump the week after its physical release. Not a top 20 hit, but still better than they fared with their last single, "Worst Case Scenario," which lived up to its name, failing to chart after the band's first two singles were both top 5 hits. I believe "Worst Case Scenario" was released too soon, falling prey to the enduring popularity of the band's previous single, "Goodbye Mr. A," which was still big at the time.

26. Who's that Girl - Robyn

Robyn lands her fourth recent top 40 hit. A bit shy of the top 10 placing of her last single, "Be Mine," although it wouldn't surprise me if this climbed a bit. Another great track from her.

29. Warwick Avenue - Duffy

Proving once again that she's no Adele, Duffy's already attracted strong interest in "Mercy's" follow-up, "Warwick Avenue," which doesn't come out until May 29. Expect a steady climb until then.

36. Daylight - Kelly Rowland Featuring Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes

Kelly Rowland scores her 8th UK top 40 hit, this time with special guest Travis McCoy, who scored two top 5 hits last year with his band Gym Class Heroes, "Cupid's Chokehold (#3)" and "Clothes Off (#5)." "Daylight" is the third single from Kelly Rowland's second album Ms. Kelly, although like the single version of her last hit, "Work," this track is from the forthcoming "Deluxe" re-release (known in the U.S. as Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe). It's physical release is out tomorrow, so hopefully it will join her last two singles into the top 10.

So next week there's some pretty big competition for Madonna and Justin. Wiley and Will.I.Am ("Heartbreaker"), both in the top 10 this week, get their physical releases. Plus there are new singles out from Kelly Rowland, Kylie Minogue ("In My Arms"), and emerging act Santogold ("L.E.S. Artistes"). But don't count out an important digital player--Coldplay--who tomorrow are releasing "Violet Hill," the first single from their forthcoming fourth album, Viva la Vida. Despite being on of the decade's bestselling acts and scoring eight consecutive top 10 hits (four of which topped the airplay chart), Coldplay has never had a #1 hit single.