UK Singles Chart, 11/29/2008

1. If I Were a Boy - Beyoncé

Beyoncé knocks The X Factor finalists from #1, ending their 3-week run at the top. "If I Were a Boy" is her fourth UK #1, following "Crazy in Love," "Deja Vu," and last year's "Beautiful Liar." She's lucky to be #1 actually. First, it looked like Leona Lewis was going to release "Run" as a digital single, which surely would have topped the chart this week, but in apparent move to push the album, the record company withheld the digital single until December 1 (save for a 1-day snafu where it was for sale on 7Digital music stores, a lucky break for the vigilant). Second, Beyoncé's new album, I Am...Sasha Fierce, performed quite poorly on the UK albums chart, debuting at a measly #10, beat by Leona Lewis's special edition of Spirit at #1 (purchased by those who couldn't wait to download "Run"), Dido's first album in 5 years at #2, Nickelback's latest at #4, and another Simply Red hits collection at #9.

3. Human - The Killers

The Killers rise a spot to #3 with "Human." The album, Day & Age, is out tomorrow. This now ties "Somebody Told Me" as their second-highest charting single.

5. Hot N Cold - Katy Perry

Katy Perry reaches a new peak with "Hot N Cold," the physical release for which is out tomorrow. Last week, I commented on how tomorrow is a very crowded day for new singles in the UK. Despite this charting second highest of those singles out tomorrow (behind T.I. and Rihanna at #4), I think it will be lucky to be in the top 5 next Sunday. Regardless, next week we should see a lot of turnover in the top 10.

9. Womanizer - Britney Spears

Perry's got a better shot of being in the top 5 than Britney Spears, who falls further this week after an initial debut at #4.

15. Rain on Your Parade - Duffy

I would have thought this would have been a bigger hit. Duffy was one of the year's biggest new artists, having scored until recently the year's biggest hit with "Mercy" and a strong follow-up "Warwick Avenue," which hit #3. This song is not available on Rockferry, which I would have thought would have made it must have for the many that have bought the album. Apparently, it's not the case. To be honest, and I'm speaking as a Duffy fan, it's pretty good but not wonderful. It's rumored the song was recorded as a potential Bond theme, but was rejected in favor of "Another Way to Die."

20. Gotta Be Somebody - Nickelback

Nickelback return after a short stay away from the chart with the first single from their new album. They had a major hit earlier this year with "Rock Star"; the #2 hit is the UK's third best-selling single so far this year. This is the band's 9th top 40 in the UK. Interestingly, they've also had 9 top 40 hits in the US, but only 6 of those are common to both countries' charts.

21. Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers

The Bellamy Brothers novelty continues to grow in strength as the single climbs 7 spots this week to #21.

28. Run - Snow Patrol

So the inability to buy Leona Lewis's "Run" this week sent fans in search in other versions of the song. Many found the original Snow Patrol version. The single was the band's breakthrough hit in 2004, hitting #5. It was the band's first of five top 10 hits and still their second-highest charting single after "Signal Fire" (#4 in 2007). There's also a copycat version of "Run" at #54 by Ameritz, which proudly proclaims to be "in the style of Leona Lewis." While this may signal a missed opportunity for the label, it's hard to argue that point when Spirit, a year-old album, is back at #1 this week.

29. Dream On - Christian Falk Featuring Robyn

Robyn's revived career continues to produce hit singles. This time its her collaboration with Christian Falk. Falk originally released this with vocals from another Swedish singer, Ola Salo. The Robyn version first showed up on the US and UK special edition releases of Robyn. It's the singer's 8th UK top 40 hit, the biggest of which was last year's #1 "With Every Heartbeat."

45. All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey

It's that time of year again. Anyone want to bet on how high it will go this year? It was #2 the year it was released in 1994. Last year it hit #4.

So next weekend--who will be #1? (Probably Take That) Who will be be in the top 10? Who will flop? New singles out tomorrow from Akon (Right Now), Alphabeat (What Is Happening), Bob The Builder (Big Fish Little Fish), Britney Spears (Womanizer), Chris Brown and Keri Hilson (Superhuman), Katy Perry (Hot N Cold), Madonna (Miles Away), McFly (Do Ya/Stay With Me, this year's Children in Need single), N-Dubz (Papa Can U Hear Me), Pussycat Dolls (I Hate This Part), Same Difference (We R One), Solange (Sandcastle Disco), Take That (Greatest Day), and T.I. and Rihanna (Live Your Life). Next weekend's chart should be really really exciting.