Chart Feed – 24.01.11

Wynter Gordon holds on to her #1 reign here in Australia. Shame I wasn’t present last Monday to pop the metaphorical bottle of bubbly when ‘Dirty Talk’ climbed to the top but get this, we are the first country to give Wynter a #1 record on a main singles charts. Back in the States, ‘Dirty Talk’ managed to top the Billboard Dance/Club charts.

Enrique‘s filthy fantastic ‘Tonight (I’m Fuckin’ You)’ stays at #2 this week, making it his third consecutive Top 5 single in Australia. The Euphoria era is working some kind of magic for the Latin heartthrob – the album has been certified gold sales here and the first single ‘I Like It’ has gone double platinum. Australia, do yourselves a favour now and revisit his 2009 mega RedOne single ‘Takin’ Back My Love’, which failed to launch here.

Alexis Jordan‘s breezy ‘Happiness’ soared to #3 here this week. Justice has been served. The single has been certified gold sales in Australia – shipping over 35,000 copies – and word is, her next single ‘Good Girl’ will get a UK release on 20 February. Will lightning strike twice for the former America’s Got Talent contestant?

Britney‘s ‘Hold It Against Me’ debuts straight in at #1 in the US and moves up to #4 on our Aussie singles charts after entering at #10 last week. We’re getting a better idea of how the nation feels about the song now that it’s had a full week and a half of strong radio rotation. Ask a work friend or cousin what they think. I’m still reeling from the hysteria of Saturday night when the track was unleashed on a packed dance floor full of gays. Screams, hands fanning and ostentatious miming – you know, the works.

The video – directed by Jonas Akerlund, the man behind Gaga and Beyonce‘s ‘Telephone’ mini-epic – will drop soon. They just wrapped day #2 of the shoot and BritBrit tweeted this teaser shot. After the first day of filming she tweeted: “such an incredible experience. I think this will be one of the best videos I have ever done.” ‘Hold It Against Me’ debuts at #6 in the UK this week, making it her 21st UK Top 10 single.

Avril Lavigne‘s ‘What The Hell’ is highest charting new single in Australia this week, entering at #9. Other worthy new entries include Usher‘s ‘More’ (#23) and Christina Aguilera‘s ‘Show Me How To Burlesque’ (#29) – the soundtrack is the highest selling new album here this week, debuting at #5. Thanks, gays.

Rihanna‘s ‘S&M’ debuts at #27 here and was the most added new song on Aussie radios last week. Check out three sinister official remixes here:

S&M (Remixes) by PopMusicUniverse

I’ll find out for ya’ll if and when Universal Music Australia will release an ‘S&M’ remix bundle.

The Naked and Famous has finally cracked our Aussie Top 50 this week with their album Passive Me Aggressive You rising to #47 and its first single ‘Young Blood’ (which made #1 in New Zealand last year) debuting at #49. The Kiwi band is set to rock the Big Day Out festival in Sydney on Australia Day and Melbournites, you can still grab tickets to their gig at the Corner Hotel on 28 January here.

Bruno Mars has bagged the #1 album and single position in the UK this week, making him the first solo male artist to have done so since Mika‘s Life In Cartoon Motion and ‘Grace Kelly’ simulateously topped the charts in 2007. The ‘Grenade’ singer is set to bring his Doo-Wops & Hooligans tour to Australia in April. Check out the dates and venues here via Auspop. Tickets will be available on 1 February.

Adele‘s bluesy disco noir ‘Rolling In The Deep’ enters at #2 on the UK charts this week. I won’t be surprised if she pulls a double appearance in the Top 20 next week when her 21 album starts to chart. Her 2008 debut 19 is enjoying some kind of resurgence now, charting at #8 this week.

Aggro Santos and curvacious Girls Aloud siren Kimberley Walsh scores a hit with their collabo ‘Like U Like’ entering at #8 this week. Alright, bitches. We’ve heard enough. This solo career fuckery is making me gag hardcore now. Ya’ll need to sit down, shut the fuck up, get Nicola Roberts to do her thang, then regroup. Pronto.

Far East Movement and Ryan Tedder‘s ‘Rocketeer’ rose to #17 in the US this week and was the third most added new song on Aussie radios last week. I’m actually downloading their album now. Seriously, the six days of consuming Malaysian commercial radio had me reluctantly pried open to a load of American hits I was too proud to check on. I found myself hearing for the first time and actually liking tracks like Nelly‘s ‘Just A Dream’, Selena Gomez‘s ‘A Year Without Rain’ and ‘Rocketeer’. Elsewhere on the US charts, Pink‘s ‘Fuckin’ Perfect’ blazes from #57 to #30 and Kanye West and Jay Z‘s ‘H.A.M.’ debuts at #23. Both are also good in my books.

Cher has made history as the only artist to have a US #1 record in every one of the last six decades. Her latest track ‘You Haven’t Seen The Last of Me’ just topped the Billboard Dance/Club charts this week, making it her first #1 of the new decade. And of course, in true Cher cheek, she tells Billboard: “How can it be six decades when I’m only four decades?” Love you, drag glammother!

 

Avril Lavigne ‘What The Hell’ Music Video

Ladies be clutchin’ their pearls hard because bubblegum rock vixen Avril Lavigne is back with a vengeance – sexier, more confident and possibly, just as bankable as she was in her heyday.

Director Marcus Raboy (the man behind Shakira‘s ‘Time For Africa’ and Sean Kingston‘s ‘Beautiful Girls’ videos) steers Avril through a mischievous man-dodging sequence complete with a getaway in a stolen taxi, flirting with ballers and running through a vintage clothes store before finishing up on stage where she belongs.

http://www.vimeo.com/19070240

This is easily the biggest win I’ve ever given any Avril video and here’s three good reasons why you should too:

1) Body talk.

Avril Lavigne is in fucking fine form and she’s not afraid to hold it against you. When you see her sauntering about in her underwear, writhing in bed and pressed up against a dude – at no point do you feel like she is deliberately objectifying herself to get your attention. Notice that she’s rocking more of a cheeky confident stride, as opposed to striking provocative poses.

It’s almost like she’s saying, “I’m fit, I know it, and I want you to as well – but I won’t go out of my way to point it out.”

2) Product placements.

I know it triggers an automatic rolling back of eyes whenever we spot shit like this in music videos but if you look at it from the perspective of a global popstar who’s making a return to form, isn’t it at least reassuring to know that some big brands still see her as being bankable?

Most of the junk she’s spruiking here are albeit her own but product placements and brand associations have long been a reflection of a popstar’s status.

3) Irreverence.

‘What The Hell’ is a prime reminder of why radios love Avril and the video’s done the same, working hard to reposition her back into a pop market that has turned to Pink and Kelly Clarkson for their fix of irreverent pop/rock in her absence. The only concern now is whether the album – Goodbye Lullaby – can follow up the good work with more of this energy.

Footnotes:

‘What The Hell’ debuted at #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 last week with strong first-week download sales of 163,000 units. Here in Australia, it debuted at #40 on our digital track chart and was the fourth most added new song to radios last week.

The video leaked online hours before it’s scheduled US televisual debut during the screening of Mean Girls 2 on ABC Family.

Chart Feed – 10.01.11

Enrique‘s hypersexual ‘Tonight (I’m Loving You)’ is the highest new entry in Australia this week, debuting straight in at #3. Suppose we have the steamy video and rapid radio pick up (it is the second most added song to Aussie radios last week) to thank for. Speaking of radio addition, the catchy new Avril Lavigne single ‘What The Hell’ is the sixth most added to airwaves and Katy Perry‘s ‘E.T.’, the eighth.

Wynter Gordon‘s breakthrough ‘Dirty Talk’ keeps flying up the charts, going #1 on our Aussie iTunes and reached a new peak of #5 on the main ARIA singles chart. The sassy lady tweet teased us last week saying we can expect to hear a new track soon. Her With The Music I Die album is slated for a March release but a part of me now wants that pushed back so she can concentrate on getting another hit single here first and give people more incentive to grab the album the minute it drops.

Alexis Jordan, looks like we have a summer hit in our hands. The 18-year old pop singer’s debut ‘Happiness’ jumped to #13 in Australia this week and frankly, it’s all too exciting for us pop bloggeurs to see this new artist getting love Down Under. Tracklisting for her self-titled debut album has surfaced and while there’s no local release date announced as yet, our friends in the UK will be treated to the album on 28 February.

Justice Crew just scored their first ever Top 20 hit with their latest single ‘Friday to Sunday’ rising to #18 this week. The hip hop dance troupe who won last year’s series of Australia’s Got Talent had everyone’s eyes wide when word spread about them scoring a record deal. Haters gonna hate but seriously, why krump to someone else’s beats when you can do it to your own?

Bruno Mars‘ fantastic Doo-Wops & Hooligans album has climbed to a new peak of #5 in Australia this week. With the support of two #1 singles here – that’s more like it, right? Altiyan Childs‘ self-titled album of X Factor covers is still selling hot at #3. Stans have done well getting behind this – the record became the 19th best selling album of 2010 in the three weeks it was out in the year. Bam!

Having said that, it was still a rather bleak look at the impact Aussie artists are making at home. Only three Australian acts were accounted for in the Top 20 best selling albums of 2010 (Angus & Julia Stone‘s Down The Way – #7, Altiyan Childs – #19, John Butler Trio‘s April Uprising – #20). Meanwhile, it’s far worse on our end of year singles chart – not one Aussie artist had a song in the Top 30. The biggest selling Australian single went to Yolanda B Cool & D Cup‘s massive ‘We No Speak Americano’, which was the 34th best seller of 2010. Mmph. Check on the ARIA’s full Top 100 albums and singles of 2010.

Rihanna has made UK record history as the first female solo artist to achieve five #1 singles in consecutive years with her latest ‘What’s My Name’ climbing to the top spot this week. Hold up. Let’s run a quick fact check as an expansion of last week’s chin stroke about RiRi’s armful of UK #2 singles. Consider her five consecutive years of UK #1 hits: ‘Umbrella’ (2007), ‘Take A Bow’ (2008), ‘Run This Town’ with Jay Z and Kanye West (2009), ‘Only Girl In The World’ (2010) and finally, ‘What’s My Name’ (2011). The Barbadian beauty’s Loud album is still topping the album charts there. That Rihanna reign just won’t let up…

Jessie J‘s breakthrough ‘Do It Like A Dude’ has shot up to a new peak of #5 on the UK charts. No doubt, all thanks to her grabbing the BBC Sound of 2011 crown and the subsequent press attention overload last week. Elsewhere, another finalist of the prestigious shortlist – Nero – made their chart debut at #18 this week with ‘Me and You’. If you’re a fan of drum and bass vs dub step then this track’s right up your street.

Cheryl Cole scores her sixth consecutive UK Top 20 single this week with ‘The Flood’ rising to #18. Seriously, every solo single she’s put out has gone Top 5 there but why do I have a feeling that this will be the one to break her run? As much as I love the magnificently tidal chorus, a pop ballad of this style isn’t exactly en vogue right now, is it?

Eliza Doolittle‘s wistful summery track ‘Skinny Genes’ leapt up the UK charts this week going from #114 to #70. The track was only offered up as a free download a few weeks ago when iTunes Australia picked it as their Single of The Week. It’s pure delight if you’re a Lily Allen or Kate Nash fan. Now how can we get this all over our domestic airwaves before the summer’s out? Eliza Doolittle‘s self-titled album rose to #11 on the UK charts this week.

Far East Movement and Ryan Tedder‘s ‘Rocketeer’ moves to #34 on the US Billboard Hot 100 this week. The gang famous world over for their US #1 mess ‘Like A G6’ shows off a gentler side with their latest offering and I’m strangely digging this. Get ready for the Asian take ovah! ‘Rocketeer’ was issued to Aussie radios yesterday.

Erika Jayne – also known as America’s reigning princess of fabulous dance/pop – scores her fifth consecutive US Dance/Club #1 this week with ‘One Hot Pleasure’. I need not say much about this. Just watch the video. Its blinding fag appeal is enough to send Melissa Tkautz‘s career weeping with envy. Queens, make it your mission to investigate Lady Erika this week.

Avril Lavigne ‘What The Hell’ Free Download

Dormant rawkstar Avril Lavigne is awakening and she’s got a little New Years surprise for ya’ll.

The Canadian singer is celebrating her return to the game by giving up her comeback single – ‘What The Hell’ – as a free download for 48 hours starting 1 January.

The DL comes easily enough – you just have to ‘Like’ her on Facebook to gain access.

Having heard a snippet of the little sucker, it’s evident that someone’s trying to reupholster the bratty rawk schstick she was fronting ten years ago.

Gurl, I don’t think that sound’s old enough to make a comeback yet. Zip lock it, drop it in a shoe box and slide it back under the bed.

Footnotes:

‘What The Hell’ will be sent to Australian radios on 2 January and Avril‘s first studio album in four years – Goodbye Lullaby – is due here 4 March.

Avril Lavigne “Goodbye Lullaby” Album Details

Somebody must’ve reached out for mediation with her label because the much-delayed Avril comeback is finally on its way.

Goodbye Lullaby will be the Canadian bubblegum rocker’s first album in over four years. Christ, it’s felt longer than that. Like, longer to the point where I swear I could’ve reared a child and seen it through high school before this album drops. Maybe that’s saying something about Avril‘s waning relevance in the pop market.

The album sees her reuniting with hitmaker Max Martin and other collaborators – like ex-hubby/ex-Sum 41 Deryck Whibley, long time guitarist Evan Taubenfield, and producer Butch Walker (Pink, Katy Perry) – for a “more raw and organic sound”.

There’s reportedly a smattering of rawk energy on tracks like ‘What The Hell’ and ‘Stop Standing There’, as well as vulnerable balladry on ‘Smile’, ‘Push’ and the aptly-titled divorce closure song, ‘Goodbye’.

Check out the album tracklisting as posted on her website:

1 – Black Star
2 – What The Hell
3 – Push
4 – Wish You Were Here
5 – Smile
6 – Stop Standing There
7 – I Love You
8 – Everybody Hurts
9 – Not Enough
10 – 4 Real
11 – Darlin’
12 – Remember When
13 – Goodbye
14 – Alice [Hidden track]

Footnote:

Goodbye Lullaby is out in Australia on 4 March 2011. This should be interesting. Are we all worried that the artwork’s indicating a veer to more folksy and Taylor Swiftey regions?

Chart Feed – 08.03.10.

Rihanna‘s petulant ‘Rude Boy’ has taken #1 position in Australia, making it her first #1 single here since ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ three years ago.

It’s hardly in the league of her previous chart toppers like, ‘SOS (Rescue Me)’ and ‘Umbrella’.

The jury’s still out on whether this ‘edgy’ record is my cup of tea or not. I find myself indifferent to most tracks on Rated R.

George Michael‘s hits collection Twenty Five jumped from #24 to #9 this week. Last week’s tour must’ve jogged our memories because kinky sex aside, George did have some wonderful songs.

Nothing beats ‘Fastlove’ for me – it was the first George Michael song I heard and back then innocent Dave was oblivious to the overt sexual connotations.

Ellie Goulding must be chuffed to see her debut album enter the UK charts at #1 this week. Interesting to see Lights knock off Lady Gaga‘s beast of a hit album at the height of her Monster Ball tour.

Alphabeat‘s 90s pop-inspired The Beat Is debuted at #39 in the UK this week. Wondering if I should hold my breath for a local release or shall I just order my copy from CD WOW now?

Avril Lavigne‘s ‘Alice’ entered the UK charts at #75 this week. Only time will tell if this will reignite her career or fall through the rabbit hole.

Lady Gaga and Beyonce‘s ‘Telephone’ climbs to an all new peak of #12 on the US Billboards chart. It has been the longest wait for the music video, this shit had better be bonkers and mind-blowing. Word is the official premiere date is 11 March.

Feed Limmy’s Top 20 Most Played:

#1 Gabriella Cilmi – On A Mission*
#2 Cheryl Cole – Parachute
#3 Kelis – Acapella
#4 Kimberly Wyatt – Candy (feat. Aggro Santos)*
#5 Cheryl Cole – Boys
#6 Shakira – Gypsy (Freemasons Mix)*
#7 Sugababes – Wear My Kiss
#8 Robyn – No Hassle*
#9 Jennifer Lopez – Louboutins
#10 Brandy – Right Here (Departed)
#11 Junior Caldera feat. Sophie Ellis- Bextor – Can’t Fight The Feeling (Junior Caldera Radio Edit)*
#12 BoA – Touched
#13 Paloma Faith – Upside Down*
#14 Anjulie – Rain
#15 Cheryl Cole – Fight For This Love
#16 Leona Lewis – Naked
#17 Estelle – Freak*
#18 Sugababes – Get Sexy
#19 Cheryl Cole – 3 Words
#20 Cheryl Cole – Rain On Me
* = Added to playlist this week