Sunday, May 10, 2009

UK Singles Chart, 5/16/2009

1. Number 1 - Tinchy Stryder & N-Dubz

So Tinchy Stryder leads what has to be about the crummiest UK singles chart since I started following it 11 years ago. While this column is generally about why I'm excited about what's going on in the charts, today, unfortunately, it is quite the opposite. Tinchy gets a third week at #1, which, in itself, isn't that bad, since this song is growing on me.

The rest of the top 10 is completely uninteresting, in fact, its the same 10 songs we had in the top 10 last week, of which 7 songs do not move at all (1-6, 10). "Jai Ho" drops 2 spots to #9 so that "Not Fair" and "We Made You" each move up a spot (they are, by the way, potential contenders to unseat Stryder for #1 next week. My money's on Allen to have a slight edge over Em. Black Eyed Peas are also in the mix).

20. If U Seek Amy - Britney Spears

Britney climbs three spots to #20 with "If U Seek Amy," the third single from her album Circus. It got its physical release this week, which I was hoping would bump it into the top 10, but alas, it isn't so. While it could go a little higher, top 10 looks unlikely. As it sits now, it's currently her lowest charting single, below the #15 peak of "Break the Ice," the third single from her last album.

22. She's Got Me Dancing - Tommy Sparks

This is a little cheerier--the top 40 debut of Tommy Sparks with "She's Got Me Dancing," although for such a fun song, I was hoping for higher. Maybe this will be a grower?

42. Magnificent - U2

Now this, ladies and gentlemen, is what you call a chart disaster. Last time we caught up with U2 on the charts it was with No Line on the Horizon's first single "Get on Your Boots," which was a chart disappointment because it was the first time a U2 album's first single didn't hit #1 and in fact missed the top 10 altogether, landing at #12 (not counting Zooropa, which didn't have typical single releases). Well, a #12 placing looks positively swimming next to the comparable failure of the album's second single to even crack the top 40. Ouch! "Get on Your Boots" was the band's first single in 12 years to miss the top 10. Now "Magnificent" is their first since the early '80s (i.e. before they were really big) to miss the top 40. What's going on? U2's always been good for big hits, and "Magnificent" is a great song from a great album. I really don't get it.

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