E Chiseltrees

One he also wrote the lyrics to. Most of his post-Bad output is a bit too cloying for my liking, though. I nominate Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (the first single released from Off the Wall).

I think Lily Allen and Lady Gaga's two chart-toppers are the only ones that will stand the test of time. My least favourite would be Alexandra Burke, though I'm glad her single alerted people to the definitive Jeff Buckley version of Hallelujah.

I'm having trouble researching the unsigned bands thing. It's not something easily googleable. Has it been quite a regular occurrence for the unsigned to make the Top 40 since Koopa or have such instances proved few and far between?

Good point. Hadn't taken iPodding into consideration. Thanks for those examples, Vidcapper.

Just had a perusal of the Music Week sales lists as far back as they go on here (January 2007). Surprised to find a Top 40 place then required more sales than it does now. Can anyone remember offhand the year/s (or thereabouts) when it was possible to go Top 40 with only 2000 sales?

Thanks, guys. Those figures will prove useful. Wasn't previously aware of a sales listing and weekly overview online. Had a look at the first week of January (when singles sales are reportedly at an annual low) to discover it takes more sales to reach number 40 than I initially thought. A few years ago, I was under the impression 2000 was enough to make the 40. Seems there's been a sales boost. Can anyone shed any light on the unsigned bands in the Top 40 aspect? Koopa hit 31 with "Blag, Borrow, or Steal", but surely there must have been others. Perhaps artists who just didn't generate as much publicity from doing so.

Hi guys, I posted a couple of questions to the Official Charts Company a while ago to help me with an essay I'm writing. They're taking their time getting back so I thought this forum might be able to assist. Here are the questions... * On average, how many singles sales does a recording artist require in order to reach a] number 40, and b] number 31? * Since Koopa in January 2007, how many unsigned recording artists have made the Top 40? Any information would be much appreciated. :) BTW - I'm liking the forum. Always been into chart facts and so forth. Could spend days on here.