UK
Top 40 sales figures
The
first ever chart figures integrating sales and digital downloads
are out. This week's UK singles sales including downloads
according to Music Week are:
1.
Tony Christie 69,000
2.
Razarlight 28,537
3.
Ciara 26,057
4.
Elvis Presley 26,024 (Only 79 downloads!)
5.
Freeloaders 8,296
The
singles chart almost doubled in size to about 800,000 units
after legal downloads from more than 20 sites including i-Tunes
and Napster were counted for the first time. Christie's charity
track (Is This the Way To) Amarillo was confirmed as No 1
for the fifth week running but the chart positions of some
other songs was affected by the inclusion of downloads.
Elvis'
The Wonder of You would have been at No 3 under the old system,
but was pushed to No 4 by 1, 2 Step by Ciara featuring Missy
Elliott, according to the Official UK Chart Company which
compiles the chart. Oh My Gosh by Basement Jaxx would have
been at No 45 but made No 27 once downloads were taken into
account. Stereophonics' Dakota was at No 34 in the chart instead
of No 46 under the old system.
The
most dramatic leap was made by Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz which
has only been available as a seven-inch vinyl single. It would
have been at No 197 but was No 22 thanks to downloads.
Paul
Clifford of the Official UK Chart Company said:
"The
chart has always been a reflection of the most popular songs
and including downloads means we maintain that."
Independent
labels have objected to the chart, claiming it puts them at
a disadvantage because many are unable to sell their recordings
in a downloadable format. But the Chart Company said there
were eight indie records in the chart, one more than would
have been under the old system.
(News,
Source: Elvisnews.com)
Comment
- UK Top 40 sales figures
Despite
what a number of other sites are suggesting, the inclusion
of downloads is a sensible industry initiative to fully reflect
the most popular songs as expressed by relevant consumer interest...it
is not a conspiracy to stop artists like Elvis from dominating
the charts. The reality is that "sales" of CDs have
been generally diminishing for many years (singles sales are
now a fraction of what they were even just five years ago)
as consumers use a mix of means to obtain and listen to their
favorite artists and songs. This is progress.
(News/Commentary:
Source: EIN)
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