I have mixed feelings on charity records. They raise money for good causes, which is great, yet a lot of them rely solely on that factor to sell, not actually being any good. And they always sell well, regardless of quality.

Then there is the fact that Simon Cowell seems to have cornered the market in charity records. He organizes the release of one by The X Factor contestants every year, and he’s now the brains behind the Helping Haiti effort. Which, rather coincidentally, features a plethora of acts from his stable.

Cheryl Cole, Alexandra Burke, Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis, and Joe McElderry all feature. It’s almost as though Cowell hand picked them to up their marketability or something.

That’s not to say I don’t support it; go out and buy it, and keep it at number one for another week. The money raised will be split between the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and the Helping Haiti campaign.

As well as being the fastest-selling charity single since the turn of the century, Everybody Hurts is likely to end 2010 as the biggest-selling single of the year. Unless, of course, another disaster strikes, another charity single is produced, and even more people buy that one. God forbid.

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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Helping Haiti with the charity version of R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts has unsurprisingly entered straight in at number one on the singles chart, knocking Owl City to number two in the process. And surely no one can bemoan this, with all the money raised going to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Brilliantly. Jedward’s debut single, Ice Ice Baby, fell out of the top ten altogether, dropping to number 12. The Glee Cast now have two songs in the top ten, with Halo/Walking On Sunshine entering at number nine.

The albums chart has seen less movement, with Alicia Keys retaining the number one spot, and Andre Rieu and Paolo Nutini remaining at numbers two and three respectively. Sade’s first album for a decade, Soldier Of Love, entered at number four, while Massive Attack’s Heligoland debuts at number six. Corinne Bailey Rae’s return with The Sea has been short-lived, with the album already dropping to number 15.

Top 10 UK Singles Chart

1. (1) Alicia Keys: ‘The Element Of Freedom’
2. (2) André Rieu: ‘Forever Vienna’
3. (3) Paolo Nutini: ‘Sunny Side Up’
4. (-) Sade: ‘Soldier Of Love’
5. (6) Lady GaGa: ‘The Fame Monster’
6. (-) Massive Attack: ‘Heligoland’
7. (9) Peter Andre: ‘Unconditional Love Songs’
8. (15) Michael Bublé: ‘Crazy Love’
9. (4) Florence and the Machine: ‘Lungs’
10. (13) Black Eyed Peas: ‘The E.N.D.’

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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We’ve had Darius, we’ve had the Cheeky Girls, and now we have Jedward. All acts from a reality TV show who have defied belief in getting as far as they do on the show before releasing a few pointless and utterly crap records after they were finally booted off.

This isn’t the official video for Jedward’s Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby) because the record companies are idiots and won’t allow embedding. So I’ve had to post a live performance of the track from GMTV instead. But no matter, as if anything it shows up the twin turds for their lack of talent even more.

There is nothing good to see about this song. The originals are both cracking records which have stood the test of time. Sure, Vanilla Ice has been ridiculed in hindsight but Ice Ice Baby was huge in its time. And you can’t mess with Queen or David Bowie. Even though Jedward have tried.

They can’t sing, they can’t dance; they have no timing, no talent, or charisma; they should have been killed at birth. This performance is surely enough to persuade any anti-abortionist that it’s not actually that bad in some circumstances.

I cannot rate this song or video because I refuse to even believe it got released. Shame on Jedward, shame on Vanilla Ice, shame on Queen and David Bowie for licensing the song, shame on Louis Walsh for inflicting this on the world, and shame on the British public for buying enough copies of this shit to get it to number two in the singles chart.

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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This week’s singles chart has seen Owl City hold off the challenge of Jedward – that awful twin beast of baloney from The X Factor – for the number one spot. The fact that Jedward can’t even make number one with help from Vanilla Ice doesn’t bode well for their future career. Timbaland and Katy Perry jumped 14 places to number three with If We Ever Meet Again, while the rest of the charts pretty much stayed as was.

This week’s albums chart has seen Paolo ‘I wish I was black’ Nutini knocked off the top spot by Alica Keys. I suddenly adore the woman. Corinne Baily Rae entered straight in at number five with second album The Sea, which isn’t bad considering the extended break she’s taken from music. Ke$ha’s Animal and Pete Andre’s Unconditional Love Songs are both new entries in the top ten.

Top 10 UK Singles Chart

1. (2) Alicia Keys: ‘The Element Of Freedom’
2. (4) André Rieu: ‘Forever Vienna’
3. (1) Paolo Nutini: ‘Sunny Side Up’
4. (3) Florence and the Machine: ‘Lungs’
5. (-) Corinne Bailey Rae: ‘The Sea’
6. (5) Lady GaGa: ‘The Fame Monster’
7. (6) The Chipmunks: ‘Alvin & The Chipmunks 2 – The Squeakquel’
8. (-) Ke$ha: ‘Animal’
9. (-) Peter Andre: ‘Unconditional Love Songs’
10. (7) Mumford & Sons: ‘Sigh No More’

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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There’s no doubt the music charts mean less now than they used to. The way we consume and listen to music has changed, with file-sharing and streaming services muddying the waters considerably. But the charts are still the best indication of what’s popular.

There has been a midweek chart for years now, but it’s not revealed outside of the music industry. According to NME, this is all set to change soon, with Radio 1 broadcasting a midweek rundown every Wednesday between 3.30pm and 4pm from March 10.

Martin Talbot of the Official Charts Company said:

“The launch of this official chart update will mean that, for the first time, music fans will get a reliable insight into how the race for Number One is shaping up.”

I think this is a good move as it may well boost interest in the weekly charts. The battle for Christmas number one between Joe McElderry and Rage Against The Machine last year shows there is still interest there amongst the record-buying public.

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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This week’s U.K. singles chart sees Owl City retain the number one spot with Fireflies, while Iyaz and the cast of Glee swap places in two and three. There are still two versions of Don’t Stop Believin’ hanging around in the top 10 (don’t do it, Joe). Alica Keys and Jay-Z are the big climbers, with Empire State Of Mind (Part II) and Young Forever respectively climbing into the top 10.

This week’s U.K. albums chart has a deja vu vibe about it, with Paolo Nutini somehow climbing back to the top spot. I’m starting to doubt my fellow Brits’ taste in music. This concern is backed by the fact the soundtrack to Alvin & The Chipmunks 2 – The Squeakquel is sitting at number six. Biffy Clyro redress the balance at number nine, while Mumford and Sons further augment my restored faith.

Top 10 UK Singles Chart

1. (2) Paolo Nutini: ‘Sunny Side Up’
2. (8) Alicia Keys: ‘The Element Of Freedom’
3. (1) Florence and the Machine: ‘Lungs’
4. (6) André Rieu: ‘Forever Vienna’
5. (5) Lady GaGa: ‘The Fame Monster
6. (22) The Chipmunks: ‘Alvin & The Chipmunks 2 – The Squeakquel’
7. (10) Mumford & Sons: ‘Sigh No More’
8. (4) Justin Bieber: ‘My World’
9. (13) Biffy Clyro: ‘Only Revolutions’
10. (7) Pixie Lott: ‘Turn It Up’

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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This week’s singles chart has seen Owl City topple Iyaz from the top spot he grabbed last week. Fireflies is Owl City’s first U.K. number one, despite the American singer-songwriter having released three albums. Iyaz only dropped to number two, while the Glee cast climbed to number three with their rendition of Don’t Stop Believin’. The only new entry in the top ten is Won’t Go Quietly by Example.

This week’s albums chart sees the top two stay the same, with the brilliant Florence And The Machine number one, and the frankly ludicrous Paolo Nutini at number two. Three and four see new entries for Lostprophets and Justin Bieber respectively. The hyped Manchester band Delphic were straight in at number eight last week, but have already dropped to number 28.

Top 10 UK Singles Chart

1. (2) Owl City: ‘Fireflies’
2. (1) Iyaz: ‘Replay’
3. (5) ‘Glee’ Cast: ‘Don’t Stop Believin’
4. (4) 3OH!3 ft. Katy Perry: ‘Starstrukk’
5. (3) Sidney Samson ft. Wizard Sleeve: ‘Riverside (Let’s Go)’
6. (-) Example: ‘Won’t Go Quietly’
7. (6) Journey: ‘Don’t Stop Believin’
8. (10) Alexandra Burke: ‘Broken Heels’
9. (7) Lady GaGa: ‘Bad Romance’
10. (32) JLS: ‘One Shot’

Top 10 UK Albums Chart

1. (1) Florence and the Machine: ‘Lungs’
2. (2) Paolo Nutini: ‘Sunny Side Up’
3. (-) Lostprophets: ‘The Betrayed’
4. (-) Justin Bieber: ‘My World’
5. (4) Lady GaGa: ‘The Fame Monster’
6. (6) André Rieu: ‘Forever Vienna’
7. (10) Pixie Lott: ‘Turn It Up’
8. (7) Alicia Keys: ‘The Element Of Freedom’
9. (3) Vampire Weekend: ‘Contra’
10. (9) Mumford & Sons: ‘Sigh No More’

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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Last week saw Iyaz come from nowhere to grab the top spot. This week has seen him remain at the top, seeing off Owl City who are straight in at number two with Fireflies. In a rather bizarre twist of fate, Journey have remained at number six with the original Don’t Stop Believin’, while the Glee Cast have entered the singles chart one place above that with the same song. A cover (albeit it a good one) beating the original? Pah.

Maybe there is a God after all as Paolo Nutini has lost the number one slot on the albums chart to Florence and The Machine with Lungs. Talent has replaced garish banality, and order is restored. Elsewhere, Vampire Weekend are straight in at number three with Contra, while there are also high-placed new entries for You Me At Six and Delphic. It seems the Christmas lull has now ended.

Top 10 UK Singles Chart

1. (1) Iyaz: ‘Replay’
2. (-) Owl City: ‘Fireflies’
3. (2) Sidney Samson ft. Wizard Sleeve: ‘Riverside (Let’s Go)’
4. (3) 3OH!3 ft. Katy Perry: ‘Starstrukk’
5. (-) Glee Cast: ‘Don’t Stop Believin’
6. (6) Journey: ‘Don’t Stop Believin’
7. (4) Lady GaGa: ‘Bad Romance’
8. (5) Florence and the Machine: ‘You’ve Got The Love’
9. (-) Plan B: ‘Stay Too Long’
10. (12) Alexandra Burke: ‘Broken Heels’

Top 10 UK Albums Chart

1. (2) Florence and the Machine: ‘Lungs’
2. (1) Paolo Nutini: ‘Sunny Side Up’
3. (-) Vampire Weekend: ‘Contra’
4. (3) Lady GaGa: ‘The Fame Monster’
5. (-) You Me At Six: ‘Hold Me Down’
6. (20) André Rieu: ‘Forever Vienna’
7. (11) Alicia Keys: ‘The Element of Freedom’
8. (-) Delphic: ‘Acolyte’
9. (7) Mumford & Sons: ‘Sigh No More’
10. (14) Pixie Lott: ‘Turn It Up’

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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Iyaz has come from nowhere to take the top spot on this week’s singles chart with his debut release, Replay. Iyaz narrowly beat Sidney Samson ft. Wizard Sleeve with Riverside (Let’s Go) which entered straight in at number two. Florence and The Machine and The Saturdays both climbed, while Joe McElderry and Cheryl Cole both dropped out of the top ten as the X Factor factor finally fizzles out.

In what is rapidly becoming one of the greatest mysteries the world has ever seen, Paolo Nutini has retained the top spot on the albums chart with his absolutely dreadful second album Sunny Side Up. Seriously, who is buying this dross? Big climbers include Florence and The Machine and Mumford and Sons, while Elvis Presley jumped from 135 to number eight with compilation album, Elvis 75.

Top 10 UK Singles Chart

1. (-) Iyaz: ‘Replay’
2. (-) Sidney Samson ft. Wizard Sleeve: ‘Riverside (Let’s Go)’
3. (6) 3OH!3 ft. Katy Perry: ‘Starstrukk’
4. (1) Lady GaGa: ‘Bad Romance’
5. (13) Florence and the Machine: ‘You’ve Got The Love’
6. (7) Journey: ‘Don’t Stop Believin”
7. (10) Chipmunk ft. Talay Riley: ‘Look For Me’
8. (4) Ke$ha: ‘Tik Tok’
9. (17) The Saturdays: ‘Ego’
10. (3) Black Eyed Peas: ‘Meet Me Halfway’

Top 10 UK Albums Chart

1. (1) Paolo Nutini: ‘Sunny Side Up’
2. (6) Florence and the Machine: ‘Lungs’
3. (2) Lady GaGa: ‘The Fame Monster’
4. (3) Susan Boyle: ‘I Dreamed A Dream’
5. (4) Michael Bublé: ‘Crazy Love’
6. (5) Black Eyed Peas: ‘The E.N.D.’
7. (20) Mumford & Sons: ‘Sigh No More’
8. (-) Elvis Presley: ‘Elvis 75′
9. (7) Will Young: ‘The Hits’
10. (8) Muse: ‘The Resistance’

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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Overall, album sales in the UK were down by around 3.5 percent to 128.9 million, continuing a longterm trend which the music industry blames on illegal file-sharing. 16.1 million of this total were legal downloads.

Overall, single sales were up a whopping 32.7 percent to 152 million. This was explained by way of an increased number of downloads, and a whopping 98 percent of all singles sold were legal downloads.

The BPI also detailed the top-selling singles and albums for the year, which were as follows:

Top 10 UK Albums Of 2009

1. Susan Boyle – ‘I Dreamed A Dream’
2. Lady Gaga – ‘The Fame’
3. Michael Buble – ‘Crazy Love’
4. Black Eyed Peas – ‘The End’
5. Kings Of Leon – ‘Only By The Night’
6. JLS – ‘JLS’
7. Beyonce – ‘I Am Sasha Fierce’
8. Paolo Nutini – ‘Sunny Side Up’
9. Lily Allen – ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’
10. Robbie Williams – ‘Reality Killed The Video Star’

Top 10 UK Singles Of 2009

1. Lady Gaga – ‘Poker Face’
2. Black Eyed Peas – ‘I Gotta Feeling’
3. Lady Gaga – ‘Just Dance’
4. Cheryl Cole – ‘Fight For This Love’
5. Joe McElderry – ‘The Climb’
6. La Roux – ‘In For The Kill’
7. Black Eyed Peas – ‘Boom Boom Pow’
8. Rage Against The Machine – ‘Killing In The Name’
9. Alexandra Burke Ft Flo Rida – ‘Bad Boys’
10. Black Eyed Peas – ‘Meet Me Halfway’

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]

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