zeus555

I'm adding this Post in several places on The Internet. Some ABBA Fans are saying that they wish Benny & Bjorn had 'Up-Dated' the ABBA Sound - for the New Single - but, I'd HATE it if it sounded like Lady GaGa, or Eminem! I like Songs with a lot going on in them - flutes, & multi tracked vocals etc..... MY POST..... Why would Benny & Bjorn WANT to change the ABBA Sound? I LOVE the New Single! Many people are already saying that it sounds like ABBA - and I agree! (Because that's 100% fine by me!). ABBA Fans/Pop Fans, if you want to hear the 'Radio Edit' of the new Benny & Bjorn Song, then 'Click On' the Link, & hear it played on the Ken Bruce/Zoe Ball Show on BBC Radio 2. Zoe played it this morning. It is 'Story of A Heart' by the Benny Andersson Band. Swedish Singer, Helen Sjoholm is the lead vocalist. Start Listening at 01:07:27 http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00km...uce_25_05_2009/ The Song is really 05:08 long, but there is clearly a shorter version for Radio. The longer version will be on the Album of the same name, & as an extra Track on the CD Single, no doubt. It sounds just like ABBA. Indeed, if it were actually by ABBA, it would stroll to No.1 in the UK, Ireland, & several other Countries.

So, how many UK No.1 ALBUMS have there been? What number is 'Relapse', by Eminem?

Eminem has now had 5 UK No.1 Albums in a row. This makes him:, 1) The 9th Act to manage 5, (or more) consecutive No.1 Albums, since the UK Album Chart began, on W/E 28th July 1956. 2) The 1st USA SOLO Act to achieve it. Elvis Presley has had 11 No.1 Albums, but never more than 2 in a row. Madonna has had 10 No.1 Albums, but never more than 3 in a row. 3) Eminem is only the 2nd Solo Act to have had as many as 5 in a row. Robbie Williams has also had 5. (Rod Stewart has had 6 consecutive No.1's, but UK Chart Books also count 'Overtures & Beginners', as a Rod Stewart Album. It reached No.3 in 1974, & was a Rod Stewart & The Faces Album. It means that his first 7 Albums are now shown as Peaking at 1, 1, 1, 3, 1, 1, & 1 - so, the 6 Solo No.1 Albums are no longer regarded as consecutive). 4) Eminem also becomes only the 2nd USA Act to have had as many as 5 in a row - Bon Jovi have also had 5 consecutive UK No.1 Albums.

I've just been looking at the 'Write-Up' of the 'British Hit Albums Book', at Amazon.uk. (It is a New 'Write-Up'). I see that, (Left Of Screen), you can 'Zoom In' to see a Page from the Book. There is a 'Synopsis' of the Book on the 'Zoom In' page - BUT, it says that the Book has every Album to reach the UK Charts since 1952. As you will probably know, the Singles Chart began in Mid-November 1952 - but the Album Chart did not start until the end of July 1956..... Link:, http://smurl.name/45ec And, looking at the 'Zoom In' Page at Amazon.uk, it looks like Virgin want us to comment on the Album Book - so that future Editions can be better. Also, they say that they know that many 'Chart Fans' were disappointed with the 'Hit Singles' Book, (2008), but, that they've taken our criticisms on board, with regard to the 'Hit Albums' Book. I believe that the Top 25 Album Acts, (based on Chart Weeks), will have their Top 3 Best Selling Albums Listed, (beneath their Entry), with 'Rounded' Sales. As you can see, Michael Jackson's Entry is shown, in the Amazon.uk 'Zoom In'.

Until 'Earth Song', (1995), 'One Day In Your Life' was Michael Jackson's Best Selling Single in the UK. 'One Day In Your Life' sold about 730,000. 'Billie Jean' sold about 645,000.

1) Yusuf (Islam)/Cat Stevens now holds the All Time 'Longest Gap' Record, in this Album Chart category. 'Roadsinger (To Warm You Though The Night)', (some sources just call it 'Roadsinger'), makes it exactly 35 Years since he last had a STUDIO, (New Material) Album, in the UK Top 10. His last such Album was 'Buddah & The Chocolate Box', which Peaked at No.3 on W/E 20th April 1974 - the Week that ABBA first entered the UK Singles Chart. ('Waterloo' - in at No.17). The 1974 Cat Stevens Album was last in the Top 10, (No.5), in the Chart of W/E 11th May 1974 - the same Week that 'Waterloo' was No.1 for its 2nd, & final Week. And it has taken him 35 Years to get back into the UK Top 10 with another New Album.....(I use what was happening with ABBA & 'Waterloo', in the Singles Chart, to illustrate how long it has been). 2) By holding at No.1 for a 2nd Week, Bob Dylan's 'Together Through Life', becomes his first UK No.1 Album, to manage more than 1 Week at No.1 since 'Nashville Skyline' in 1969. That spent its 2nd Week at No.1 in the Chart of W/E 31st May 1969 - almost 40 Years ago. (It went on to be No.1 for a Total of 4 Weeks). 3) 'Together Through Life' has also gone to No.1 in the USA Top 200. It is his 5th No.1 Album there, & his 7th here - but the first Bob Dylan Album to get to No.1 in BOTH Countries. None of his 4 previous USA No.1 Albums were UK No.1's, & none of his previous 6 UK No.1 Albums were No.1 in the USA. The closest he came - until now - was in 1967. 'John Wesley Harding' was a UK No.1, & a USA No.2. (His 2006 Album - 'Modern Times' - was No.1 in the USA, but No.3 here).

The OCC once told me that people outside the UK cannot influence the UK Charts. Only Sales by people with UK Credit, or Debit Cards, are sent to The OCC. It is easy for Amazon.uk to filter out payments, by people who don't live in the UK.

I believe that Bob Dylan is the oldest person to Top the UK Album Chart. He beats Neil Diamond, who was about 67, when he managed it, in 2008. (I could be wrong!). However, the current No.1 is not Bob Dylan's first No.1 Album, since November 1970. It is only his first Solo No.1, since then. He reached No.1 in June 2007, as one of The Traveling Wilburys. ('The Traveling Wilburys Collection').

Yes, I'm sure that Westlife are not in the Top 100 UK Album Acts. (Weeks On Chart):, 1) Westlife - (1999) - No.2 - 69 Weeks 2) Coast To Coast - (2000) - No.1 - 28 Weeks 3) World Of Our Own - (2001) - No.1 - 35 Weeks 4) Unbreakable - The Greatest Hits Vol.1 - (2002) - No.1 - 51 Weeks 5) Turnaround - (2003) - No.1 - 21 Weeks 6) Allow Us To Be Frank - (2004) - No.3 - 12 weeks 7) Face To Face - (2005) - No.1 - 23 Weeks 8) The Love Album - (2006) - No.1 - 12 Weeks 9) Back Home - (2007) - No.1 - 20 Weeks That's 271 UK Album Weeks for Westlife - and you need 292 Weeks, to even be at No.100, in the UK's Top 100 Album Acts List.....

In the 'British Hit Albums' Book. (out in late June), there will be a List of the Top 100 Album Acts in the UK - based on Weeks On Chart. An Act needed 292 Album Weeks to be at No.100. The Top 100 'cuts off' on W/E 3rd January 2009. Westlife aren't in the Top 100..... :D

All I know is that in 2006, several Chart Fans worked out, (Year End 'MW' figures, plus estimates), what the Top 100 UK Albums List might be like. We had Queen's 'GH', (One), in 2nd place - after 'Sgt Pepper...', & 'GH II' in 35th place. When The OCC published their Top 100 Albums List, (November 2006), we were surprised to see 'GH' in 1st place, & The Beatles Album in 2nd. However, we were 100% amazed to see 'GH II' in 7th place, when our figures had it in 35th place. BUT, The OCC assure me, that there are Zero Sales from 'The Platinum Collection' added to either of the 2 Queen Compilations. (Or from 'Greatest Hits I & II', a Double CD, which reached No.37, in 1994). I've asked my contact there, that question about 3 times! The answer is always the same. The OCC have 'GH II' on 3,740,000 Sales, (Rounded), to W/E 3rd January 2009. (Its Total 1991 to 2008 Sales). Queen are the only Act with 3 Albums, in the UK's All Time Top 40 'Hits' Albums List. They are 1st & 3rd, ('GH' & 'GH II'), & also in the Top 40 with 'The Platinum Collection. ABBA are 2nd, ('Gold'), & 7th, ('Greatest Hits'). Hopefully, the Top 40 will be in the 'British Hit Albums Book', in late June. (If not, I'll try very hard to persuade The OCC to let us see the List, anyhow).

I've asked The OCC if we can have a 'Top 40' Albums Chart Book. We will see. I should imagine that it depends how well the Top 40 Singles Chart Book sells.

Apparently, The OCC have found 2 1960's Christmas Charts, that were not in the Guinness Top 40 Books. If the up-date goes ahead, they will be added to it. I don't know what Years they are for - or why/how Guinness missed them.

I have a copy of the 'NME' Singles Chart Book too - and their Album Chart Book. The point is that there has not been an 'NME' Chart Book since the Mid-1990's. Nor has there been a Top 40 Chart Book since 1996. As such, it would be good if 'NME' would agree to allow The OCC/Virgin to put November 1952 to March 1960 'NME' Charts, in any up-date of the 1996 Top 40 Book. I doubt if The OCC/Virgin will get permission, though. (IF a Top 40 Book goes ahead).

I used to think that Sales from, 'The Platinum Collection', by Queen, had been added to those of 'GH' & 'GH II'. However, The OCC assure me that this has never happened.

They are thinking of doing an up-date. That would be The OCC in collaboration with Virgin. I know someone at The OCC, & he told me last night. He asked whether I thought the Book should 'cut off' at the end of 2008, or the end of March 2009, or the end of June 2009. As I like, 'the more charts the better', I said, 'The end of June 2009'. However, I thought it only fair that I ask other Chart Fans too - hence why I've put this Thread on 4 Chart Forums. Most Chart Fans seem to want/prefer the Book to cut off at the end of 2008. So, I've told The OCC this. However, I've also asked if we can have more Charts. & the Book cuttting off at a Year End - the end of 2009. That way, both my original view, & the other view, gets combined. Also, I've asked if they can put the 'NME' Charts in it, from Mid-November 1952 to W/E 3rd March 1960. (But, I realise that they may not get 'NME' to agree to that. 'NME' would let Guinness use them, in their 1992 & 1996 Top 40 Books). And - it's a long shot - but, I've asked if the Top 75 can be used in the Book, (since it started), or the Top 50, (since that started). Rather than just Top 40's throughout. He will let me know, about all of our views on the matter. (As always - Virgin have the final say. The OCC can only suggest things to them).

What did you think of the Guinness Book, 'Top 40 Charts', which had every UK Top 40 in it, from March 1960 to December 1995? Would you like The OCC/Virgin to up-date it? IF they did - would you prefer it to 'cut off' on December 27th 2008 - or to 'cut off' on March 28th 2009, or June 27th 2009? The Guinness version came out twice. The first was in 1992, & the 2nd, (& last time), was in 1996. It is so hard to get hold of now that Amazon.uk have no copies, but 2 of their 'Sellers' have it. One wants £125 for it, & the other wants £194.95 for it! http://smurl.name/ju92

The next Virgin British Hit Singles Book will be out in about June 2010. It will definitely not be out at the end of 2009. I'm sure that it will have a lot of Facts & Feats in it - and, (why not?), an up-date of the All Time Top 100 Singles, (with Downloads added in), would be great too. (I'm sure that The OCC will be thinking of adding that List to the Singles Book. Well - The OCC compile it - then Virgin have to agree to include it).

The 2010 'Virgin Brirish Hit Singles' Book, will be much better than the 2008 Edition. I, & others, tried very hard to get The OCC to see why the 2008 Singles Book was not a success with Chart Fans. Then The OCC accepted that, & tried - hard - to get Virgin to see where the 2008 Book went wrong, & why the Album Book, & 2010 Singles Book must/should be much better. I know that The OCC had several meetings with Virgin, & I think that Virgin have agreed to put Facts & Feats etc Lists in the Books, in future. There is one Trivia List, (Albums), that The OCC considered compiling, but they seem to have decided against it. It was going to be:, 'The Top 3 Best Selling Albums By The Top 25 Album Acts'. Maybe they felt that the List was a bit long winded in its concept. Even so, I think it would have been a very interesting List to see.....

It turns out that the Cover of The 'Virgin British Hit Albums' Book, on Amazon.uk, was just a 'mock up', which Amazon based on the Cover of the 2008 'British Hit Singles' Book. Amazon.uk have now put the real Cover of the Album Book on their Site. I think that it looks a lot better than the Cover of the Singles Book. They have also done a 'write-up' of the Album Book, but it is full of mistakes - see if you can spot them all. The OCC contacted Amazon.uk, & pointed out all the mistakes, & Amazon have now done a corrected write-up for the Album Book. Which is fine - except that - bizarrely - they have also left the mistake filled write-up there too! LINK:, http://smurl.name/72cy Unlike the 2008 Singles Book, the Albums Book will be based on the Top 75. It will also have several Facts & Feats Lists in it. I believe that there will be All Time UK Album sales Lists in it, too - with their Sales shown. (Rounded). To clarify something - the person, whom I know at The OCC, told me a few Months ago, that The OCC HOPED that Virgin would agree to include the 3 Sales Lists in the Album Book. He recently seemed more positive that they'd do so. He told me that it LOOKED like Virgin had agreed to put the 3 Lists in the Book. I'm assuming that they have done so. He was having meeting after meeting with Virgin - to discuss what The OCC felt should be included in the Book. The 3 Album Sales Lists are not simply an up-date of the November 2006 Top 100 All Time Albums. The up-dated Top 100 contains Artist, (Studio), Albums only. All 'Hits' Albums have been removed, from the 2006 Top 100 - but they've been turned into a Top 40 'Hits'/'Best Of's' List. The 6 Soundtrack Albums have been removed from the 2006 Top 100. But, they've been turned into the Top 5 Soundtrack Albums. So, between them, the 3 Lists contain 145 Albums. The 3 up-dated Lists go up to January 3rd 2009 inclusive - because the Sales for that Chart were in 2008.

The November 2008 'Box Set' that had both 'Frank' & 'Back To Black' in it, has not had its Sales added to either individual CD. The OCC tell me that the 'Box Set' was not a big seller anyhow. But, if it had Charted it would have been counted as an entirely separate release, to either CD. Its Sales will never be added to either CD.

'One Of Us' is at No.170 in my Top 300 - 480,000 Sales. I was going to estimate 520,000 Sales - which would have had it in 144th place. However, I decided to go for the lower figure.

In my Top 300 UK Singles of the 1980's List, I have 'Save Your Love' at No.32 - 760,000. I have 'Solid' at No.169 - 482,000. I have 'You Spin Me Round' at No.179 - 470,000. I'm sure that any of us, who tried to estimate a Top 300 of the 1980's, would come up with Lists that have different places for many Hits - and different estimated Sales.

A very Happy Birthday Tom

At the end of 2009, The OCC will give Radio 1, the Top 40 of 2009, AND the Top 40 of the Decade - both will be broadcast. Indeed, the Top 100 of the Decade will be compiled, but, it likely that Radio 1 will only make/find the time to play the Top 40. (The Top 100 of 2009 will be compiled too, & 'Music Week' will carry that. They may even carry the Top 100 of the Decade - Singles & Albums).