Weather Morning: 9°c Sunny spells Afternoon: 10°c Sunny spells

Music

Billie Piper
Sweet success: Billie's hit Honey To The Bee entered at number 17

Billie downloads chart success

22 Jan 2007


Doctor Who actress Billie Piper has made a surprise chart comeback from downloads alone.

The former pop star's hit Honey To The Bee entered at number 17, after Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles urged his listeners to test new chart rules by buying the track.

Previously downloads were included in the Official Singles Chart only if physical copies of the song were available in shops.

But from January 1 all download sales could be counted, meaning that any song available on the internet could be the next number one.

Gennaro Castaldo at HMV said that Piper's performance showed how it is now "so easy" for fan groups or the media to propel a song up the charts.

He said: "In the past the record companies were very jealous of making sure that the releases were implemented in a very clear and transparent way.

"It's further evidence of how bit by bit the charts are going to broaden out." Downloads also saw newcomer Mika oust X Factor winner Leona Lewis from the top of the charts.

Mika, tipped to become one of pop's biggest success stories this year, climbed two places after debuting his single Grace Kelly last week.

He reached number one through download sales, since the CD version of his single is not out until January 29. Last year Gnarls Barkley were the first to score a UK number one on downloads alone.

Meanwhile Lewis, who spent four weeks in the number one spot with A Moment Like This, dropped to number six. Just Jack climbed two places to the second slot with In Their Eyes, while The View were up eight places with Same Jeans at number three.

JoJo was at four with Too Little Too Late and Eric Prydz vs Floyd at number five with Proper Education. The Ordinary Boys climbed steeply with I Luv U, up from 22 to seven, while Take That remained in the top ten with their comeback single Patience at eight.

Jamie T was the biggest mover to make the top ten, climbing from 40 to nine with Calm Down Dearest, while Booty Luv's Boogie 2Nite dropped three places to the tenth slot.

Notable by their absence from the top 40 were Koopa. They made music history last weekend with their download-only single, when they became the first unsigned band to score a UK top 40 hit.

In the album charts, Amy Winehouse stayed in prime position with Back to Black, while Lily Allen was the only new face into the top ten.
She made her re-entry by climbing from 13 to six with Alright Still.

Reader views (0)

 Add your view

No comments have so far been submitted.


Add your comment

 

Terms and conditions Make text area bigger You have  characters left.

We welcome your opinions. This is a public forum. Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.

For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.


 

Music top five
Cher Lloyd
Cher Lloyd

IndigO2
SE10
Apr 8, 7pm

Chris Rea

HMV Apollo
W6
Apr 5, 6.30pm

Miles Kane

HMV Forum
NW5
Apr 28, 7.30pm

Example

The O2 Arena
SE10
Apr 27, 6.30pm

Lightning Seeds

02 Shepherd's Bush Empire
W12
Feb 18, 7pm