UK Singles Chart, January 16, 2010

1. Replay - Iyaz
2. Riverside - Sidney Samson feat. Wizard Sleeve

In our time of instant information always available at our fingertips, isn't it nice sometimes to be surprised? I certainly was when I looked at the UK singles chart today at 2 p.m. and saw Iyaz at #1. I'd checked the midweeks Tuesday and Wednesday, which both showed Sidney Samson at #1. Having neglected to check them later in the week--when Iyaz edged ahead of Samson--I was therefore surprised (and pleased) to see the British Virgin Islander (I guess that's the term) in the top spot. "Replay" has been a hit in the US too, topping the pop radio chart for the last month or so, and getting as high as #2 on the Hot 100.

"Replay" is produced by J.R. Rotem, who has in recent months become the hot pop producer of the moment. He's been around for awhile--he helmed Rihanna's "SOS," Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" and Leona Lewis's "Better in Time"--but since the fall, he's had a number of chart-toppers in Britain and the US, including JLS's "Everybody in Love" and Jason DeRulo's "Whatcha Say." These songs, like "Replay," carry Rotem's musical signature, a deep voice announcing "J, J, J, J, J, R" near the beginning of the track.

So Dutch DJ Sidney Samson has to settle for #2, not bad for his first single. The track samples late rapper Tupac Shakur uttering an expletive, which is probably its biggest selling point.

3. Starstrukk - 3Oh!3 feat. Katy Perry

3Oh!3 manages to live up to its name this week, climbing 3 spots to land at...#3. Isn't it wonderful when things work out this way? I'm surprised this song has become such a big hit in Britain. The band's first single, which hit #1 on the UK chart, was a much bigger hit in the US (#1 at top 40 radio and #7 on the Hot 100), while "Starstrukk" was a flop, peaking at #66 on the Hot 100.

5. You've Got the Love - Florence and the Machine
(23. Dog Days Are Over - Florence and the Machine)

So, what did dear Florence do this week? Someone must let me know, because there has to be a reason that "You've Got the Love" shoots up the chart this week, rising 8 spots to #5 to become the singer's biggest hit. She's also at #23 with "Dog Days Are Over," a single which has previous never been in the top 40 (and thus becomes her third top 40 hit). I read she performed on a New Year's Eve special, but surely all this love is due to something besides just that. Her album, Lungs, is also currently #2 on the albums chart.

6. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
(#15 The Climb - Joe McElderry)

This is another baffler. Still climbing! And X Factor is way over now, yet this song endures. The winner himself takes a rather dramatic dive down 13 places to #15. In an amazing coincidence, the song will probably continue to be popular the rest of the month due to its inclusion in the Glee pilot set to debut in the UK tomorrow.

7. Look for Me - Chipmunk feat. Talay Riley

Chipmunk climbs 3 notches to #7 with "Look for Me," the follow-up to his #1 hit "Oopsy Daisy."

9. Ego - The Saturdays

The Saturdays climb 8 spots to #9, scoring their sixth top 10 hit.

12. Broken Heels - Alexandra Burke

"Broken Heels" climbs 7 spots this week. The single is out January 18th, which should be good timing for this. Will it become her third #1 hit? I'm thinking not, but top 5 for sure.