Chart Review 18th July 2005 with DJ Chris Plant (2/3)

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

Changes in chart trends don't happen overnight. With hundreds of thousands of singles sold each week, buying habits turn like a mighty river over time. Nonetheless I suspect in years to come when people look for the moment that the inclusion of downloaded sales in the singles chart started to change the shape of the market, the rise to the top of James Blunt will be highlighted.

As a fun side effect his first single Wisemen (originally a Number 44 hit back in March prior to download day) has embarked on a chart run of its own in recent weeks, fuelled by its availability online and the fact it shows up alongside You're Beautiful when you do a search for James Blunt on Napster or iTunes. This week the single is at Number 71 having hit Number 69 a fortnight ago.

In a way it is quite a relief that the Number One hit this week made so many headlines as the midweek sales reports suggested that the chart-topper would be a different single altogether and one which would have made even more headlines on its own. The record in question was Electricity by which was at one point in serious danger of helping him join the elite list of acts to have replaced themselves at Number One. In the event the single hits the ground at Number 4 to give the legendary entertainer one of his biggest new hits for quite some time.

The single is taken from the new musical version of the film Billy Elliott for which Elton has written the libretto. Whilst it isn't the greatest Elton John single you have ever heard it is still one of his better offerings in recent years and well worthy of a place inside the Top 10.

It is only when you look back on Elton John's recent chart performances that you realise just how significant its performance is, his first Top 10 single that isn't a re-release or remake of an older hit since I Want Love hit Number 9 in October 2001. Cynics may suggest that by its very nature as a brand new recording of a brand new song it was never going to top the charts anyway thanks to the Elton Law that says he can't have a Number One with a record that isn't a re-issue, re-recording or re-working of one of his older hits.

Credit for the high chart placing of Electricity must go to the huge amount of online sales it has made, its physical sales are reportedly only enough to guarantee it a Top 20 placing. The single is probably the biggest selling release so far to be available through Mercury records' own 7Digital site which allows consumers to download the track directly from the website after purchasing a pin code via SMS.

Such a method of distribution raises interesting questions for the future. Imagine if a charity single is made available in such a manner. If you make your 'donation' with a text message but have no obligation to actually take delivery of your download is it possible that a single could fly up the charts after being bought by thousands of people who haven't even listened to it?

Continued ... next page

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