André

Nah, I doubt her fanbase grew that much since No Tears Left to Cry. The reason why this song is so huge is because it became a meme. It's all over social media, with countless viral tweets talking about it. Also, it's pretty topical -- about her break-up and personal life, which causes a lot of interest -- and also people love a (well done) surprise drop.

That's overall. I'm willing to bet the % of paid users in the UK is much higher than in most other countries. Especially because the UK is one of the countries where Spotify is actually making a decent profit.

It's 2018 and we're still acting as if people who enjoy rap music fit one specific stereotype (male/tracksuit-wearing/on benefits), lol. Rap is literally the most popular genre in the world right now, among young people in general. Either way, the reason rap songs are bigger in Apple Music is because, in its first year, Apple went hard after the rap-listening demographic (wise, since it's the biggest one right now, especially in the US) with a bunch of exclusives, including Chance the Rapper and, most notably, Drake.

Most Ed Sheeran collabs haven't done particularly great. His only collab that had excellent (short term) results was his single with Eminem.

It's not that surprising. His features aren't usually big hits. This one with Eminem is the exception.

Considering most people consume music through streaming nowadays and Spotify is by far the biggest streaming platform, yes, it does.

LMAO @ people crying out about white people being prosecuted. Get over it. I think Ed/Eminem will not be big tbh. Ed has been featured in a lot of songs and they're usually nowhere near as huge as his own songs.

The Critics' Choice winners usually have huge debuts and the full support of the industry. Everyone 'cept for Ellie Goulding, Tom Odell and Jack Garratt went on to sell over 1 million with their debut albums, with at least three of them surpassing 2 million copies sold. Ellie reached the 1 million mark with her second album (helped by a reissue, of course) and Rag'N'Bone Man will also probably reach the mark soon. Until Jack Garratt, the worst performing winner was Tom Odell which still went Platinum (and had a super messed-up roll out because the album was released a long time after his hit since since it was postponed to match the US release date).

Stormzy and Rita Ora are all over TV. Especially Ora. They're big names (especially Stormzy. Rita I have my doubts considering how hard she has been pushed and marketed vis-a-vis what she has actually achieved) but there's nothing special about having them on for a performance. Not that they shouldn't be on. Of course they should. It's just not impressive. And it's weird for me Dua Lipa and Rag n Bone Man weren't on because they're both obviously the two biggest British breakouts and usually those are featured in the show.

Oops, forgot to mention them. They are!

Worth noting that The Sun is *also* reporting P!nk as one of the final show acts, which would be big. If she's really on she'll join Sheeran, Sam Smith and maybe Harry Styles as the only big acts they had on this series. I mean, they serve the purpose of giving The X Factor some credence. It's a bit like Paul McCartney a few years back. Obviously they're not as legendary as Paul but they add some ~real music~ glitz to a final. PRETTYMUCH, on the other hand, is a D-list boyband and Louis Tomlinson -- although he was part of a huge group -- is a C-list act at best. Having them on a final as big name acts is lol-worthy. That said, I agree with you there's probably more TXF rabid viewers (i.e.: young teens and tweens) interested in Louis than on Madness. But in terms of getting big names, which is what people supposedly expect from a final, they're definitely the definition of "scrapping the bottom of the barrel". Of course SYCO has an interest in promoting them but it does cheapen their "event television" brand even further imo.

LOL what? Madness are legendary act and have an iconic song. I don't really see the point of them being in TXF but it's not "scrapping the barrel". Having a D-list boyband and the least successful ex-1D however........ I mean, we know they're SYCO acts but yeah.

Most people?

Lol, no way this "some HMV stores are banned from selling the album" thing is true.

I think it'll outsell Sam Smith's first week. 90k+ with a chance of crossing the 100k mark. Her fans are super loyal. It won't outsell 1989 but it'll probably have a better first week.

it's slated to do 205k tops in the US based on the first predictions. I mean, more than in the UK but hardly lighting the charts alight..... proportionally it will be considerably less than his British sales.

Taylor Swift is doing Saturday Night Live next week. I highly doubt she'd be in the UK not in the US during her album release week. Then again she can always pre-shoot her performance.....

Yup, decent debut all things considered. Although she did get special treatment in the US, where she debuted at #2 and was placed first in Today Top Hits.

New entries: 19 Taylor Swift - Gorgeous 35 Ask Flipz - Krept & Konan, Stormzy 44 Anywhere - Rita Ora 50 Bedroom Floor - Liam Payne Also, Niall re-enters with Too Much To Ask (#45). Mr. Brightside is at #30. The UK obsession with this song is a bit much at this point tbh.

Not sure if you're talking about Little Mix or P!nk but, if it's P!nk, then Revenge is definitely the second single and a video was shot. The New York Times interviewed her during the shooting.

P!nk has literally been releasing the exact same songs for 10 years now. I mean, her success and stability is really impressive but her "confessional pop rock" sound has not matured or evolved in any way, shape or form. Any song from her current album could have been in any of her previous albums. The secret of her success is not that she has evolved. Quite the opposite. Is that people know exactly what to expect from her.

Sam Smith's second week will not be a threat for Taylor Swift lbr.

Right now, Demi. But as a whole it is obviously Miley.

Shocked at rockstar already at #3. It is at the top in all other English-speaking countries too.

I mean, he had two platinum albums and still has public recognition (most people know who Ricky Martin is and what he looks like) so I would not exactly compare him to Lou Bega. Also, "Maria" and "The Cup of Life" were both big too.