007 Chart Commentary

Saturdays can’t handle Flo Rida for number 1!

In one of the tightest chart battles for #1 in quite some time, Flo Rida manages to snatch the #1 off the Saturdays for the second time. The Saturdays have been ahead for most of the week, however in the end Flo Rida just proved too much of a challenge and consequently climb a place to the top. Oddly enough this track has now matched the initial chart run of We No Speak Americano by going 5-2-1 after an early release. Club Can’t Handle Me is Flo’s second UK chart topper, last year Flo Rida came Right Round to beat the Saturdays to #1.

Saturdays – Missing You enters at #3

So the first chart topper for girl group Saturdays still remains elusive as new single Missing You debuts at #3. The group have been promoting in all sorts of ways this week as is also the norm for acts like JLS, McFly and The Wanted. Mobile downloads, single signings, TV appearances, several remixes and physical CDs have doubtlessly helped the Saturdays achieve their third top 3 single, with quite respectable sales too. Out of 8 releases so far only Work has missed the top 10, peaking at #22 … so it didn’t work out too well then!

Tinchy Stryder – In My System enters at #10

UK grime artist Kwasi Danquah made his first breakthrough in January last year under the better known name of Tinchy Stryder. Take Me Back made #3 as a collaboration with Taio Cruz, that was followed by N-Dubz collaboration Number One which lived up to its name. Never Leave You also hit #1 alongside Amelle Berrabah followed by #14 cover of Olive’s You’re Not Alone. Now the first proper single to come from Tinchy’s forthcoming third album aptly named Third Strike, In My System enters at #10. This features vocals from Jodie Connor, next single Invisible features no less a figure than Katherine Jenkins.

Ellie Goulding – The Writer enters at #19

UK singer songwriter Ellie Goulding topped the BBC Sound Of 2010 poll and has been very hotly tipped as the next big superstar. Ellie has started her career not too badly, hitting #4 with first proper single Starry Eyed then topping the charts with debut album Lights. Subsequent single Guns & Horses made #26, however this week The Writer goes better by making the top 20 in at #19. The release of both singles has seen the album re-enter the top 20 also so whilst not a huge success, Ellie’s singles and album have done quite good so far.

Devlin – Brainwashed enters at #31

Now for the next new UK grime artist to score a top 40 hit, step forward Devlin who is another atris to appear in the aforementioned BBC Sound. Devlin is a current member of 2 grime collective groups – OT Crew and The Movement. Debut single Shot Music featuring rapper Giggs was released earlier this year but failed to chart, new single Brainwashed enters at #31 this week. Both tracks will appear on his debut album which is scheduled for release next year.

Eminem’s Recovery album goes back to #1 again

Eminem was demoted to #2 last week behind Arcade Fire, now he recovers once again by reclaiming the top spot for a sixth week in total. There are no newcomers to speak of, with potential big new releases from Travie McCoy and Skream entering outside the top 40. This week, the XX reach a new peak of #10 as they continue to climb with their self titled album. Rockers 30 Seconds To Mars also reach a brand new peak of #15 with This Is War, no doubt helped by latest single Closer To The Edge.

Personal opinion

I am fairly happy to see Flo Rida at #1 as I have grown to quite like Club Can’t Handle Me, I do like Love the Way You Lie as well. Missing You is hardly the Saturdays best song but not bad, however they just seem too desperate to get a #1 on fanbase rather than quality. So for that reason I am glad they didn’t manage to make #1 as it will no doubt plummet down the charts next week. I have hated all of Tinchy’s previous songs, however In My System is slightly more tolerable for me although I still don’t like it much. However I do love Ellie Goulding’s The Writer, one of the highlights from her wonderful Lights album. I must be one of the few not to have heard Alors On Danse yet so I will reserve judgement on that for now. I haven’t been Brainwashed by Devlin so that can be added to my hate list as well!